In a time of job scarcity, JOBS program may disappear entirely
Many students will be affected if governor pulls funding

By Isaac Graham · The Mainstream
Published April 26, 2011

In an attempt to conserve funds, the governor has proposed serious budget cuts to the JOBS program. If the cuts occur, UCC is projecting possible closure of its JOBS unit, an act which would affect well over 200 students as well as staff.

In addition to the 22 staff positions that would be directly lost, the students who are currently receiving employment through the program would lose the education, training and employment assistance that they currently receive from JOBS.

The JOBS facility on Diamond Lake Boulevard may also be unnecessary. Remaining staff after closure would be relocated into less costly locations.

The Diamond Lake Boulevard facility is not the only JOBS office that may be affected. The JOBS location in Tri-City alone serves approximately 100 people. The vast majority of these students would face extremely difficult challenges to find employment options without the program.

Not only could a JOBS program closure cause unemployment numbers to rise, but it could also have serious implications for Oregon business owners. Since JOBS helps fund their students’ wages as these students work at local job sites, the loss of JOBS program employees could cause a need for employers to use traditional employees with a significant increase in employee costs. This could negatively impact some smaller businesses, especially in the Roseburg Area.

JOBS, not to be confused with Job Corps, stands for Job Opportunity Basic Skills. It is a program designed to provide qualified individuals with the education, training and experience they need in order to get off welfare and make the transition to self sufficiency.

“The mission and goal [of the JOBS program] is to serve people,” says JOBS Director Carla Bee. The program was federally enacted in 1988. Bee has been actively lobbying for the maintenance of JOBS program funding and is passionate about its importance.