Oregon, Washington Go Big on Workforce Development

Oregon, Washington Go Big on Workforce Development

Companies looking for regions where the workforce is growing have new reasons to consider the Pacific Northwest, as both Oregon and Washington have made significant investments in expanding the regional talent pool in recent years.

In Oregon

Future Ready Oregon (FRO), a once-in-a-generation $200 million investment approved in 2022, was designed to address economic challenges brought on by the pandemic and support high-demand industries, including healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing, and construction. The program has accelerated training expansion, enabling faster access to career coaching, scholarships, and work-based learning opportunities. Workforce Development Boards, including Worksystems and Clackamas Workforce Partnership, received initial FRO funding in 2022, which was strategically integrated with other resources to maximize impact. A second round of FRO funds, distributed in early 2023, has further built capacity among community partners and enhanced workforce system sustainability.

Worksystems—the Board serving the City of Portland and Multnomah and Washington counties—received two Future Ready Grants to design and implement the Quick Start to Semiconductor program. The first grant helped develop this program in partnership with Intel, Portland Community College, City of Hillsboro, and Washington County. Quick Start is the first program of its kind in Oregon and the most successful model nationally at creating access to entry-level semiconductor jobs without advanced degrees or previous work experience. Due to its success, a second grant expanded the program to Multnomah County, with additional plans to scale further in 2025.

Worksystems also received funds directly from the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) to focus on Clean Energy as a target sector, expanding the career coaching network, training opportunities, and scholarships to break down barriers to quality clean energy jobs. Businesses supporting the clean energy transition—including manufacturers, construction laborers, and electricians—can directly access these resources and skilled talent.

Additionally, Worksystems’ Community Construction Training Program (CCTP) supports diversity in construction careers by investing in BOLI-Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Training Programs. These programs expand the pool of qualified, diverse candidates equipped with the skills needed to succeed in Registered Apprenticeships.

Clackamas Workforce Partnership, the Board serving Clackamas County, is using Future Ready Grants to provide career coaching, occupational training, job placement services, and wrap-around support services to low-income adults and rural youth. CWP is braiding several grant investments together provide more holistic service delivery. 

CWP also received funds by Portland General Electric through the Department of Labor’s Critical Sector Grant to support Clean Energy exploration for young people. With an emphasis on rural and youth of color, AntFarm Youth Services has been instrumental in connecting young people with career-connected learning and education opportunities for this and other manufacturing careers.

Another important service made available through blended grants is the record expungement services for justice involved individuals through “Clean Slate Clackamas.” Participants access services to have their records expunged and drivers’ licenses re-instated, thus reducing barriers to career development. Clean Slate Clackamas has served thousands of individuals since the program’s inception, representing a vast array of generations, gender, ethnicity, and wage structures.

Clackamas Community College, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), AntFarm, Clackamas Education Service District (CESD) C-TEC Youth Services, Northwest Family Services (NWFS) and Clackamas County Children Family Community Connections (CFCC) 

In Washington

The State of Washington’s Economic Security for All (EcSA) program operates with $68.65 million in funds biennially, helping to connect individuals with education and training programs and supporting workforce initiatives that prioritize business needs and sector-specific workforce development.

Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW), the Local Workforce Development Board serving Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties is investing approximately $3.6 million annually to strengthen local businesses and empower residents to overcome poverty, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and end their reliance on public benefits while filling business workforce needs. 

To date, more than 1,040 Southwest Washington residents have benefited from this investment, and many are filling jobs in crucial sectors like Advanced Manufacturing and Healthcare. Even more impressive, for every $1 invested, the return on investment is $5.34—the highest return in the state by far.

Workforce Southwest Washington plays a critical role in helping businesses connect with talent through workforce preparation and industry-aligned training initiatives.

"Workforce Southwest Washington is funded and ready to support incoming businesses with talent and talent preparation," says Miriam Halliday, CEO of Workforce Southwest Washington.

Washington’s workforce development investments emphasize business engagement, allowing employers to help shape state workforce priorities that directly benefit their industries. These efforts ensure a pipeline of skilled talent, supporting regional economic growth and business expansion.

Oregon & Washington Together

The Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (CWWC), a bi-state partnership between 

Workforce Southwest Washington, Clackamas Workforce Partnership, and Worksystems, aligns employer needs with regional workforce development efforts to create targeted career pathways.

CWWC brings together industry stakeholders in target sectors—Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Construction, and Healthcare—to address workforce challenges unique to the greater Portland-Southwest Washington Metro region. By convening and collaborating with employers, government agencies, community colleges, and community-based organizations, CWWC streamlines training, scholarships, paid work experience opportunities, and career pathways for job seekers based on employer needs. Engaged businesses benefit from a workforce that is already being trained to meet their industry demands.

State and regional legislators understand that successful workforce development programs are a win-win for businesses and communities alike. These investments foster equitable prosperity, ensure businesses find the skilled workers they need, and contribute to stable families, housing security, and reduced state expenditures in health and human services.

Both states have prioritized clean energy workforce development as part of their long-term economic strategies. In Oregon, funding from the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) has enabled Worksystems to focus on Clean Energy as a target sector, expanding the career coaching network, training programs, and scholarships to increase accessibility to clean energy jobs. In Washington, workforce development efforts have incorporated clean energy industry needs into training programs, aligning job seeker preparation with emerging opportunities in renewable energy, sustainable construction, and energy-efficient manufacturing.

For employers considering a move to Portland-Vancouver, the region’s shared workforce is a major advantage. The CWWC aligns resources across the bi-state region, ensuring businesses in both Oregon and Washington have access to a highly skilled labor pool that commutes and moves seamlessly between the two states. Businesses wanting assistance should connect with their local CWWC business services representative. Contact information is available at https://workforcecwwc.org/contact/ .