Gorge Works seeks internship host employers

“The program was developed after hearing Columbia Gorge employers talk about their challenges finding skilled employees with good work habits,” said Kathy Ursprung of the Port of The Dalles, who coordinates Gorge Works. “The program is based on the very successful McMinnville Works program, which just completed its sixth year.”

Gorge Works’ objectives are threefold:

To help businesses identify candidates for skilled employment;

To provide internship opportunities allowing for the exploration of local career options;

To promote the Columbia Gorge as an excellent place to live and work.

“We believe Gorge Works can provide life-changing opportunities for people to try out career options, show their abilities to potential employers and connect with diverse training opportunities, whether they are newly graduated from high school, attending college, or already on the job and looking to improve (their)situation,” Ursprung said.

All that is required of employers is that they be able to hire a candidate full-time at (at least) minimum wage for nine weeks starting in mid-June 2019. They also need to have an employee willing to mentor the intern and have office or other work space to house an intern.

“The best internships are project-based and supply interns with real world experience that can help shape their future career aspirations,” Ursprung said. “So if you have a project that hasn’t gotten done because your staff is so busy, that’s good way to put an intern to work.”

While the employer provides the work experience, Gorge Works takes care of other details, including marketing internships to potential applicants, receiving and organizing applications, and coordinating weekly professional development workshops.

“The workshops are designed to enhance the essential skills that are so vital to employee success,” Ursprung says.

Find more information about being a Gorge Works Host Employer online at gorgeworks.com, or contact Ursprung at 541-298-4148 or kathy.ursprung@portofthedalles.com.