Employers who select an OHDC farmworker client are hiring a carefully screened, fully supported and trained employee who has a desire to get ahead, and who wants to work hard for their employer. Most farmworkers work long hours, rain or shine, in both individual and group settings for multiple employers. This means that farmworkers are motivated, adaptable and dependable and offer great potential for future employers.

OHDC creates relationships with employers that result in quality matches between farmworker job seekers and the employer’s job openings. OHDC also offers job retention services, supplemental training and other supports for career advancement for the newly-hired farmworker employee.

Finding and retaining good employees can be challenging and expensive. OHDC services are free to both the employer and the employee. There are no commissions or “finding fees” and employees are not required to pay for the services they receive from OHDC.

The National Farmworker Jobs Program

OHDC receives funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide these services as part of the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), authorized in Section 167 of the Workforce Investment Act, which establishes the nation’s comprehensive workforce system. As the NFJP operator for the state of Oregon, OHDC is part of a national network of organizations funded by the Department of Labor to provide specialized employment and training services for eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers in each state.

An Employer’s Perspective

“Safeway Stores and Oregon Human Development Corporation have been partnering for about three years to promote the existence of a diverse workforce that will respond to the needs of a diverse community.

OHDC is an essential partner in our desire to create and maintain the team necessary to satisfy our customer’s expectations. The OHDC Employment and Training Program is very accessible and they provide Safeway Stores with reliable employees.

OHDC program participants are committed, dependable, responsible, and hard working individuals, many of whom are an integral part of our community.

Safeway Stores looks forward to this continued relationship to keep offering the best service to our community.”