West Plains, MO, February 21, 2025 – The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) today announced that Team Oregon Build has been named the 2025 Workforce Program of the Year. Team Oregon Build will be recognized during an awards ceremony at NAWDP’s 41st Annual Conference in Virginia Beach, VA on May 5-7, 2025.
“The Workforce Program of the Year award honors innovative workforce programs that foster new partnerships and positively impact local communities,” said Melissa Robbins, NAWDP CEO. “Through hands-on learning and trade skill development, Team Oregon Build creates new pathways to meaningful careers while addressing key community challenges.”
Team Oregon Build (TOB) is an innovative, career-connected learning program that introduces middle and high school students to high-demand careers in construction, architecture, engineering, disaster resilience, and public service. Launched in April 2024 with the support of a $2.6 million grant from the Oregon Department of Education, TOB is a collaborative initiative led by Lane Education Service District, Mid-Willamette Education Consortium, Southern Oregon Education Service District, local workforce development boards, statewide agencies, and industry partners. The program is designed to address both Oregon’s workforce needs and pressing social challenges, including housing shortages, wildfire recovery, and community infrastructure gaps.
Through TOB, students gain hands-on experience by working on real-world projects that directly benefit their communities. Participants build emergency shelters, storage sheds, and other critical structures, learning essential trade skills while contributing to local solutions for homelessness and disaster recovery. The program also offers structured construction kits tailored for students of different skill levels, allowing them to progress from basic carpentry projects like Adirondack chairs and picnic tables to more advanced builds such as transitional housing units and mobile shelters.
Beyond hands-on learning, Team Oregon Build bridges the gap between education and workforce readiness by providing students with industry-recognized certifications, including OSHA-10 and pre-apprenticeship points that help them transition directly into well-paying careers in the trades. The program also supports educators by offering professional development, curriculum resources, and an online community forum to enhance teaching practices and expand the reach of career-connected learning.
“Team Oregon Build is honored to be recognized as NAWDP’s 2025 Workforce Program of the Year,” said Jesse Quinn, Director of Community Engagement for Lane Workforce Partnership. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the program, and we deeply appreciate the recognition.”
As of October 2024, Team Oregon Build has provided 11,156 hands-on learning experiences to nearly 5,000 high school and middle school students across the state. The program includes over 115 instructors from 86 schools across Oregon and has received 430 order submissions for sheds, shelters, and supplementary materials.
