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Support for heavy highway apprentices

We provide support to help you be successful as an apprentice in highway construction trades.

Are you in a carpenter, cement mason, ironworker, laborer, operating engineer or painter program? You may be able to get financial assistance for:

ODOT's Workforce Development Program provides funding for these supports.


  • All apprentices may apply for support based on need.
  • Payment amount will also be based on household income and size, and the age of your children.
  • Payments will be made directly to your childcare provider as long as you are working as an apprentice or attending required training.
  • Providers must be either registered with the Oregon Child Care Division or listed on the Oregon (or WA) registry maintained by the Department of Human services (DHS) Child Care Subsidy Program.
  • Daycare assistance starts with a maximum of $10,000 per apprentice with increases made according to assessment of household income, size and ages of children. Additional increase can be added when the apprentice attends the Budget class.
  • Learn more at https://oregonearlylearning.com
  • For information or to apply, contact Penny at 503‐205‐4769 or​ penny.painter@akana.us
  • First year apprentices or those dispatched to a bridge or highway project can apply
  • If you travel more than 60 miles to a jobsite for work or to a classroom for apprenticeship training, you may apply for fuel assistance at 50% of the current federal rate.
  • Maximum of $1,000.00 ​per apprentice.
  • For information contact Penny at 503‐205‐4769 or penny.painter@akana.us​
  • First Year Apprentice or dispatched to a bridge or highway project can apply
  • If you are required to travel more than 60 miles and incur overnight expenses for work, you may apply for lodging and meal allowance assistance if not receiving it from your employer. (meal allowance - only paid when staying in a commercial facility)
  • Lodging assistance is calculated at approx. 100% of federal GSA rate, minus any lodging assistance provided by other sources, with a maximum of $1500.00 per apprentice in a commercial facility (hotel/motel)
  • Meal allowance is calculated at the federal GSA rate, minus any meal assistance provided by other sources, with a $250.00 maximum.
  • For information contact Penny at 503‐205‐4769 or penny.painter@akana.us​

  • First Year Apprentice or dispatched to a bridge or highway project can apply
  • If you are being dispatched or are currently working, you may apply for assistance to purchase required basic tools and/or PPE.
  • Tool & PPE maximum is $500.00 per apprentice.
  • For information contact Penny at 503‐205‐4769 or penny.painter@akana.us​
  • One‐on‐one career counseling and/or budget workshop training
  • Support/advocate and mentoring for work related concerns
  • Referrals for other services (E.g., social services, continuing education)
  • For information contact Penny at 503‐205‐4769 or penny.painter@akana.us​
  • The food you bring to a job site is an important addition to your tool box. We can teach you how to use it through our free online training.
  • You can learn ab​out why nutrition matters, eating a well-balanced diet, shopping on a budget, reading labels, healthy packing and snacking, hydration, food safety on the job, and much more.
  • Learn more at https://constructionworkerhealth.com​​

Frequently asked questions

How do I qualify for these services?
  • To receive financial assistance with fuel, lodging, meal allowance, tools and/or PPE, you must submit an application within the first year of your apprenticeship registration date or be working on a bridge or highway project.
  • You must be an Oregon‐registered Apprentice in a Heavy Highway trade; i.e. Operators, Carpenters, Iron Workers, Laborers, Cement Masons or Painters and be in good standing with your apprenticeship program.
  • Must be currently working or attending required training as an apprentice.
  • If you are in a non‐highway related trade and are dispatched to a bridge or highway project, you can apply.
  • You must provide copies of check stubs and/or a training schedule when requesting assistance.
  • Ask how to qualify for increasing most of these funding maximums for you upon attending the Budget Class.
  • For more information, contact Penny at 503-205-4769 or penny.painter@akana.us
How long can I receive support?

Apprentice must be working or attending training.

Support for women

https://womeninapprenticeship.org

http://www.tradeswomen.net

Support for veterans

https://helmetstohardhats.org

Pre-apprenticeship

http://www.constructinghope.org http://www.tradeswomen.nethttp://pybpdx.org