Northwest Oregon Works awarded a check for $29,762 to the Oregon State University Seafood Lab to provide training for high school students aspiring to become commercial fishermen. Pictured, from left, Emily Reilly, family and community health program coordinator, Oregon State; Matt Solberg, Oregon Sea Grant fellow, Oregon State; Len Tumbarello, Northwest Oregon Works; and Amanda Gladics, associate professor of practice, Fisheries Extension, Oregon State.

Northwest Oregon Works, an Oregon Workforce Board supporting Clatsop County, awarded the Oregon State University Seafood Lab in Astoria a check for $29,762 to provide Fishermen First Aid and Safety Training and drill conductor training, in partnership with Oregon Sea Grant, to 36 interested high school students.

Some of the funds will outfit the students with the gear and equipment needed to work as a deck hand in the commercial fishing industry; the rest will assist in conducting the commercial training.

This funding was made possible by Oregon House Bill 3410, which was passed in 2023. Northwest Oregon Works took the lead on this initiative and hired its first maritime program coordinator, Len Tumbarello, in May.

For maritime organizations in Columbia, Clatsop, Lincoln, Tillamook and Benton counties that have a project requiring funding, go to nworegonworks.org and complete the Maritime Inquiry Form.