State of Oregon STEM Investment

Jul 9, 2013, 8:04am PDT

Science and tech education gets $8M boost

Suzanne Stevens

Web editor-Portland Business Journal


The lack of qualified science and technology workers in Oregon has long vexed the area's top employers, who say they must often look outside the state to fill high-paying, skilled positions.

A measure passed by the Oregon Legislature aims to change that. The Oregon STEM Investment Council bill establishes a private sector science, technology, engineering and math investment council that will help guide investment of an initial $8 million over two years to jump start youth interest in STEM careers.

Those will include in-school programs, regional hubs that bring schools and colleges together and after-school programs such as First Robotics.

TechAmerica led the lobbying effort, heading a coalition of 40 Oregon companies.