As demand grows for skilled workers in technology, construction, clean energy and other skilled trades, the PGE Foundation is investing in the people who will help build Oregon's future.

Through the 2026 Career Pathways Grant, the PGE Foundation is awarding $400,000 to 23 nonprofit organizations across the state that are helping people enter and advance their future careers, including the skilled trades.

Hands-on trade careers are needed more than ever to meet the increased need for housing, transportation, energy and other critical services. This year’s awardees include Construct Hope Pre-Apprenticeship Program, Latino Built, and Portland Youth Builders, all dedicated to hands-on construction workforce development training, mentorship or career placement services.

Through the Career Pathways Grant, Portland Youth Builders will provide hands-on construction training and wrap-around support that leads to family-wage employment for more than 300 young people from underserved communities.

"Workforce development is about more than finding a job. It’s about investing in people who have been historically overlooked, strengthening our workforce, and creating a future where everyone can thrive,” said Rana Uzzaman, executive director of Portland Youth Builders. “Our young people are full of talent and potential. What is missing is access and opportunity; this is the gap that Portland Youth Builders' closes.”

Together, these organizations are helping Oregonians access the training, mentorship, resources and connections needed to pursue careers, start businesses and build long-term economic stability.

"Exposure to career pathways, combined with access to training and wraparound support, is critical to ensuring every Oregonian has the opportunity to find the career that fuels their passion. When individuals thrive, our communities thrive," said Brooke Brownlee, executive director of the PGE Foundation. "These organizations are opening doors and helping develop the workforce of the future that will build, maintain and power Oregon for generations to come."

To see the PGE Foundation’s complete list of 2026 Career Pathways Grant awardees, click here.

Building a connected workforce ecosystem

The PGE Foundation’s Career Pathways Grant is part of Portland General Electric’s broader effort to make career opportunities easier to find and access through sponsorship and leadership.

PGE sponsored Oregon Workforce Partnership’s 2026 WORKing Together Conference in Salem on Oct. 20 that brought together workforce professionals from across Oregon to come together to create a more connected workforce ecosystem. The event sponsorship aligns with PGE’s work in building the workforce ecosystem needed to support the energy sector in Oregon through their leadership of the Oregon Clean Energy Workforce Coalition.

Together, these efforts connect community-based investment with statewide collaboration, supporting Oregon’s energy economy.

Photos provided by the Portland Youth Builders.

About the PGE Foundation

The PGE Foundation is an independent, nonprofit foundation aligned with the priorities of Portland General Electric. Founded in 1997 through an endowment dedicated to improving the quality of life for Oregonians, the foundation has awarded more than $33 million to community organizations across the state. Today, the foundation supports efforts that expand opportunities for Oregonians to learn, grow and build resilience—from hands-on career learning and support during times of need to investments in climate resilience and economic prosperity. To learn more, please visit www.pgefoundation.org.