MEDP Contracts Director of Youth Innovation Programming

Nov 1, 2018

(MCMINNVILLE, OR) - The McMinnville Economic Development Partnership has contracted Meredith Goddard as Director of Youth Innovation Programming to complete a one-year contracted project. The position is made possible through a grant from The Ford Family Foundation and the Oregon Community Fund. Goddard will be responsible for developing an industry-driven, entry-level workforce program in McMinnville and delivering four (4) Oregon WORKS workshops to help rural communities launch programs similar to MEDP’s McMinnville WORKS Summer Internship Program.

The goal is to identify resources and establish a lead organization to launch a “McMinnville Pipeline Pilot” which will take shape as an entry-level, career-track job connection for McMinnville area students. MEDP and Goddard hope to form a group of interested companies to help create the pipeline. Much like the McMinnville WORKS Internship Program, the pipeline project will be designed to be industry-led with a focus on making it good for businesses, good for participants, and good for the community.

Goddard comes to MEDP with experience in both teaching and creating innovative programs for youth. Having taught in both public and private high schools for ten years, Goddard’s experience in the classroom has informed her passion for connecting students with career opportunities. She created her own company to help prepare young people for the future of work (Five Years In), launched a work-based learning program with a Portland farmers market, and founded and directed the largest high school entrepreneurship competition in Oregon.

The Pipeline Pilot is currently in its first stage of development. MEDP is currently looking for interested companies who want to serve on an advisory board to be engaged in the creation of a new program. MEDP hopes to have Pipeline host sites finalized by January of 2019, open student applications in February of 2019, select students in April, and begin the pilot program in June of 2019.

A company interested in being on the advisory board should be a local company looking to connect with the emerging workforce. The advisory board will help create the program, including the type of positions, professional development, student connections and more. MEDP Executive Director, Jody Christensen commented on the project stating, “We believe this is the right next step to ensure a stronger talent pipeline in our community. We are excited to have Meredith on board and can’t wait to see how we can create more connections that grow our own workforce.” Interested parties can email Meredith at Meredith.Goddard@gmail.com.