In September, MedCerts Partner Solutions, an online certification and pre-apprenticeship career program, offered an opportunity for workforce development professionals to nominate a colleague who have a significant impact in workforce development. At EC Works, we try to celebrate the value of the work our team does every single day, so we took this opportunity to nominate each other and encouraged our partners and providers to do the same.
We are so thrilled to announce that out of FIFTY-SIX nationwide nominations, our Youth Programs manager Jennifer Graham was one of only two recipients of the Workforce Development Month Community Influencer Award! Of her win, MedCerts writes:
“Jennifer has been a driving force in youth career development, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment in Central Oregon. A member of the STEM Advisory Council and certified in Trauma-Informed Practices, she has expanded programs like the Youth Career Connect Talent Hub and secured a grant for Central Oregon Veterans Outreach.”
Jennifer was nominated by colleague, Kristyn Fix, who wrote in part for the nomination:
“It is with great enthusiasm that I nominate Jennifer Graham for the Youth Workforce Development Award, a recognition that reflects her unwavering dedication to transforming the futures of young people in Central Oregon. As the Youth Programs Manager at East Cascades Works (EC Works), Jennifer has profoundly influenced the region’s youth career development landscape. One of the defining achievements of our recent work is the launch of the Talent Hub internship platform. The Hub connects local teenagers and young adults with real-world job opportunities, giving them the chance to apply their skills and explore career options in various industries.
The Talent Hub is more than just a job matching tool, it represents a shift in how we think about youth workforce development. For young people, it provides not only a sense of direction but also the confidence that comes from meaningful work experiences. For local businesses, it offers access to motivated interns who bring fresh perspectives and energy to the workplace. This initiative has been especially impactful in Central Oregon, where rural communities often face challenges in accessing diverse career opportunities. Jennifer’s strategic leadership and deep understanding of both educational and business environments have contributed to the success of this initiative.”
Jennifer celebrated this award with the receipt of a food delivery service gift card which she graciously used to have lunch delivered to team members in their remote work locations. We could not be prouder to have such a dedicated, motivated, thoughtful professional on our EC Works team. Congratulations, Jennifer!