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Oregon’s Education Department and Bureau of Labor and Industries recently awarded eight grants totaling $2 million to support shop classes and other hands-on programs at schools throughout the state.

The Oregon Legislature in January approved 24 other Career and Technical Education Revitalization Grants totaling $8.87 million. Legislators were encouraged by building industry advocates – including Associated General Contractors and the Oregon Home Builders Association – to allocate additional grant money, BOLI spokesman Charlie Burr said.

“The building trades especially were instrumental in making this happen,” he said.

State lawmakers in 2011 established the grant fund as part of a larger 10-year effort to bring career and technical education back into Oregon schools. More than 200 middle and high schools have since received funding for programs focused on engineering and construction trades, as well as agricultural science, visual art design and other career education.

The eight latest grants range from $30,000 to nearly $500,000. Recipients include the Bethel, Jefferson, Newberg, Rainier, Sisters and Tillamook school districts. The Lane Education Service District in Eugene and Joseph Charter School in Joseph also received grants.

More information about the grants and the school programs is available at .