For the first time in its history, PIVOT Job Corps Center in northwest Portland, Oregon, has opened its doors to male applicants. Traditionally PIVOT has been an all-female center, focusing on providing training to young women in the Portland metro area. Site Director Tyna Moreschi is excited about the changes at PIVOT.

“This is such a great program and offers so much to the young women who come here,” she said. “Why wouldn’t we make that available to young men who are interested in what we offer?”

PIVOT JCC started out as a partnership between Portland Public Schools (PPS) and Job Corps in 1989. At that time it was only available to young mothers and was housed in one of the high schools in Portland. In 2004, the partnership with PPS ended and the center moved to Montgomery Park in northwest Portland. At that time enrollment was opened up to all eligible young women, whether they were parenting or not. “As the needs of the population we serve have changed, we’ve been able to adapt,” Tyna explained.

While there hasn’t been a stampede of young men applying yet, Enrollment Specialist Breanna Canda has high hopes. “We haven’t been accepting male applicants for very long,” Breanna said, “As we spread the word about this option being available, we’ll see more young men applying to get training here.”

PIVOT offers training in Office Administration and Medical Office Support with an additional section on insurance billing and coding for students who are interested. “This is a welcome change for us,” continued Breanna. “We are excited to be a part of the success of Portland’s young people.”

For more information about PIVOT Job Corps Center and the training offered, please contact Breanna Canda at 503.326.6800. PIVOT also holds an open house every Wednesday at 2pm at 2701 NW Vaughn St, Ste. 151 in Portland, Oregon.