On the Job Training
Assists Businesses in Hiring & Training
How Does It Work:
- Employer interviews OJT candidates through COIC referrals or employer’s own talent search.
- COIC confirms eligibility and the employer makes the hiring decision.
- Trainee completes training plan lasting one to 6 months, working 30+ hours per week, and at a wage of at least $2 an hour over the local minimum wage.
- COIC provides partial reimbursement of training wages.
- Trainee retains permanent full-time employment.
Plus:
- Prompt payments with a minimum of paperwork.
- Trained staff to assist employer through all phases of the OJT.
- An opportunity for employers to train employees their way.
Additional Information:
- The written contract must be signed prior to the first day of work.
- Job openings and employees must meet eligibility requirements.
- Position cannot be less than 30 hours per week, temporary or seasonal (note: some seasonal jobs with short lay-off periods may be acceptable).
- Position requires training beyond a brief period of orientation.
- Principal method of payment cannot be commission or piecework.
Interested Employers and Job Seekers, please contact:
Marnie Fordham
Bend
541-699-8058
Jenny Porfily
Redmond
541-279-7069
Contact us
Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)
1250 NE Bear Creek Rd.
Bend, OR 97701
541-548-8163
education
COIC provides an alternative high school setting for students to make up credits and return to their regular classrooms, or to earn the GED. Students may also participate in the Youth Compass Program, a work-experience program that combines classroom credits with community service and natural resource projects.
Program Introduction
The COIC approach is based on individualized instruction for credit recovery or GED. Students, primarily aged 16-21, are referred by their local high schools to make up credits and return to their regular classrooms or leave the program with the GED. COIC is recognized as one of the most successful GED programs in Oregon, with 93 GED certificates awarded during the 2025-2026 school year alone. Students may also participate in work education through our Youth Compass Program.
Programs are held in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Prineville in conjunction with the school districts of Bend-La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, Culver, and Crook County. COIC also provides instruction for Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice and the Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge Program.
In addition, COIC offers summer work experience, giving students the opportunity to earn minimum wages and learn valuable hands-on work skills. During the school year, students earn high school diplomas, GEDs, and high school credits that transfer to their local high schools. Typically, our students spend more than 10,000 hours working on community service and natural resource projects.
Talk to your school counselor about attending COIC or call one of our classrooms today!
Youth Compass Program
Order Your GED Transcript/Diploma
Order a copy of your GED transcript and/or GED diploma (electronic or hard copies) online from GED.com. Select the Grads and Transcripts tab on the top banner and answer the questions to verify your specific testing record.
Statewide Testing Notices
English Annual Notice for Statewide Tests - Download here
Spanish Annual Notice for Statewide Tests - Download here
English ODE State Testing Combined 30-Day Notice and Opt-Out Form - Download here
Spanish ODE State Testing Combined 30-Day Notice and Opt-Out Form - Download here
Youth Education program Contacts
Bend Classroom
For enrollment information, contact:
Katie Estvold, Teacher's Aid/ Registrar
458-231-1436| Email here
For classroom information, contact:
Patrick Jordan, Lead Teacher
541-706-1458 | Email here
La Pine Classroom
For enrollment information, contact:
Katie Estvold, Teacher's Aid/ Registrar
458-231-1436 | Email here
For classroom information, contact:
Andrew Peter, Teacher
541-316-9039 | Email here
Redmond Classroom
For program information, contact:
Dustin Gurley, Lead Teacher
541-280-0031 | Email here
COIC Skills Lab
Deschutes County Juvenile Justice
Ami Stone, Teacher
541-322-7676 | Email here
Youth Education Program General Info:
Kris Schofield, Youth Education Manager
541-213-1998 | Email here
Youth Employment & Training Contacts
Bend Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Jay Byers, Youth Employment Counselor
458-287-5575| Email here
La Pine Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Nick Huggins, Youth Employment & Training Coordinator
541-280-6495 | Email here
Jefferson County Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Matt Mahoney, Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here
Redmond Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Matt Mahoney, Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here
Prineville Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Jeff Warren, Youth Employment Counselor
541-420-6787 | Email here
Joseph Beaton, Youth Employment Counselor
541-233-6782 | Email here
Youth Compass Program General Info:
Laurie Harrer, Youth Employment & Training Program Coordinator
561-329-7873 | Email Here
Matt Mahoney, Youth Employment & Training Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here
Klamath County Youth Compass Program
General Info:
Sean Winters, Youth Employment Counselor
541-419-11812 | Email here
COIC Student Handbook 24-25 - Download