OCE BOLI & Work-Skills Programs: Eligibility Checklist and What Families Can Do

This checklist covers two tracks: Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE) Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) training programs and OCE's Work Skills Certification programs. You can spot the BOLI-style training track by its structure: a minimum of 2,000 hours of hands-on training paired with 135 hours of related classroom instruction. That time commitment matters for planning. These are not short classes. They are sustained training programs with both a work component and a classroom component.

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• ✓ Six months of clear conduct (no recent conduct issues for at least six months).

• ✓ No positive urinalysis tests in the preceding 12 months (a “positive” test in that window can disqualify someone).

• ✓ High school diploma or GED, or actively in the process of earning a GED within the allowed timeframe.

• ✓ Compliance with all other institution programming requirements (program staff look at overall program participation and follow-through).

These four items work together, and one weak spot can hold up acceptance even if everything else looks good. Clear conduct and clean UAs are usually the biggest "clock" issues, since both require time. Education status matters too: having a diploma or GED is ideal, but being actively in progress can also meet the requirement when it fits the program's timeline. To confirm where your loved one stands, the most practical approach is to ask the facility caseworker (or the staff person handling programming) to verify each requirement directly: conduct status for the past six months, UA status for the last 12 months, diploma/GED status or GED enrollment, and whether they are considered compliant with other institutional programming. That keeps you from guessing based on partial information.

OCE's BOLI training programs have a substantial structure: a minimum of 2,000 hours of hands-on training plus 135 hours of related classroom training. The hands-on portion is the day-to-day skill building and work experience. The classroom hours cover related instruction that supports the trade or skill area. When families understand the split, it's easier to set realistic expectations about schedule, stamina, and the steady participation needed to finish.

OCE reports a 13% recidivism rate for adults in custody who stay in its training program for at least six months. No single statistic tells the whole story, but the practical takeaway for families is clear: staying engaged long enough to meet the program's minimum participation window is part of what OCE highlights when discussing outcomes. Consistency and follow-through are worth treating as priorities.

1. Focus on the GED or diploma requirement - If your loved one does not already have a high school diploma or GED, encourage them to get enrolled and keep moving. Being in the process of earning a GED can count when it fits the program’s allowed timeline.
2. Help them protect their eligibility “clocks” - Eligibility includes six months of clear conduct and no positive urinalysis in the prior 12 months. Support choices that keep those timelines intact.
3. Ask for a direct eligibility check through the facility - Have your loved one request that their caseworker (or programming staff) confirm whether they currently meet all four criteria, and what specifically is missing if they do not.
4. Contact OCE with enrollment and program questions - For questions about OCE programs, you can contact OCE by phone or mail and ask for the right point of contact for training program details and enrollment verification.

If you need to write, OCE's mailing address is PO Box 12849, Salem, OR 97309. They also have a Salem office at 3691 State Street, Salem, OR 97301, but it's by appointment only. In practice, you'll usually get farther by calling first (or writing) to ask the right questions, then scheduling an appointment only if staff tell you an in-person visit is necessary.

Program availability can be hard to pin down from the outside, especially if your loved one is hearing mixed messages inside. Start with the basics: ask your loved one to request a clear answer in writing if possible (kites or request forms), and find out who at the facility handles work-based education or program placement. If you're calling, keep notes on dates, names, and what you were told. That way you can follow up consistently instead of starting over each time. If the facility can't confirm whether a specific OCE program is offered or open for applications, shift the question to what you can verify: whether your loved one meets the eligibility criteria now, what they need to do to become eligible, and what the next intake or referral step is supposed to be.

1. Call OCE’s main lines - Use 800.776.7712 or 503-428-5500 and ask who can confirm training program participation and what information they can share.
2. Escalate to the listed leadership contacts if needed - If you cannot get routed to the right person, ask for guidance using the listed contacts for the Director and Administrator.
3. Document what you learn - Write down the date, who you spoke with, and the key answers. That record helps when you follow up with the facility caseworker or programming staff.