Crew member working on mass timber building construction

Mass Timber Regional Training Cluster

Award Amount

$3,050,000

Non-Federal Match

$762,500

Project Overview

A skilled workforce is critical to the success of Oregon’s mass timber industry. Historically, many communities in Oregon have not had access to quality, family-supporting jobs in manufacturing and construction trades. The Port of Portland is seeking to reverse this trend by partnering with Worksystems and Portland Community College to prepare workers for high-quality jobs in the emerging mass timber industry.

The regional training cluster will build a skilled workforce positioned to assume new jobs in construction and advanced manufacturing. Workforce investments will create inclusive access to job training and entrepreneurship opportunities for all Oregonians.

Download the 2025 Project Update PDF

Planned Actions

Establish training locations around the state to connect rural and urban communities to jobs in mass timber fabrication, construction and manufacturing

Create and provide resources for pre-apprenticeship programs and space for hands-on training and classroom education. Activities will focus on curriculum development, trade construction and manufacturing programs, on-the-job training, and community engagement

Engage industry stakeholders to determine workforce needs and develop training pathways for job seekers, including recruitment, career coaching and placement assistance

Program Delivery Partners

Worksystems will provide career navigation services to connect communities to mass timber training pathways and related employment.

Portland Community College will lead workforce training curriculum development and partner with other community colleges in Oregon to integrate mass timber learning content into existing skilled trades and manufacturing coursework.

Project Updates

Portland Community College and Worksystems are conducting an industry workforce assessment to determine the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for mass timber manufacturing and construction occupations. Along with projected hiring demand, this will inform curriculum development and workforce programming efforts.

Program partners are engaging with existing pre-apprenticeship programs to evaluate how mass timber industry exposure and education can integrate into current programming to help more students enter and advance in the skilled trades.

Credit: The Canyons, Portland. Photo courtesy of Marcus Kauffman