Worksystems

10/22/2026

“Employment is one of the most powerful tools we have to address larger regional challenges, from homelessness and housing instability to economic mobility and business competitiveness.” — Miriam Halliday, CEO

Stable employment does more than increase income. It is one of the strongest predictors of long-term housing retention, which reduces reliance on public assistance.

Across the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and Washington County, our programs connect housing and employment services to help people build stable futures.

The Economic Opportunity Program (EOP) offers community-based career coaching and employment programs designed for individuals facing the greatest barriers: low-income residents, people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and those with prior justice involvement. EOP pairs long-term, relationship-driven career coaching with job readiness support, training, and direct connections to jobs.

The results demonstrate what's possible when we intentionally break down barriers and create opportunity:
✅ Over 1,000 people served through EOP
✅ More than 80% of EOP participants exited with a job that improves their housing stability through employment income
✅ Employed participants earned an average wage of more than $23 per hour

Learn more about the impact of our programs in our annual report:https://worksystems.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/WS-Annual-Report-PY25-FINAL.pdf

10/21/2026

Transitioning to a clean energy economy is supporting pathways to family-wage careers while helping build a more sustainable future. We partner with community-based organizations and employers to ensure these opportunities are accessible to job seekers across our region.

As we continue celebrating Energy Awareness Month (and Careers in Energy Week!), we're shining a spotlight on the Clean Energy Career Coaches from Central City Concern, IRCO Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, Latino Network, Our Just Future, POIC, SE Works, Inc., and Urban League of Portland who help connect community members to training, scholarships, and hands-on learning opportunities that lead to quality jobs. Coaches provide one-on-one support that breaks down barriers to employment, including wrap around services such as access to work clothes and tools, short-term rent assistance, utility payment, and transportation.

Since launching in 2023, the program has served approximately 535 participants, with 229 individuals securing clean energy transition related employment at an average wage of $24.69 per hour.

Learn more about the coaches athttps://worksystems.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/250221_Portland-Metro-_-Clean-Energy-Career-Coaching-Program-Recruitment-Flyer.pdf

Clean Energy Career Coaching is made possible in part with funds from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, Port of Portland, TriMet, and the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC).

10/16/2026

Layoffs are never easy. But sometimes, they are unavoidable.

When Daimler announced layoffs earlier this year, the WorkSource Portland Metro (WSPM) Layoff Transition Team stepped in to collaborate with them on plans to help affected workers navigate the transition.

We're committed to connecting people with the resources, information, and guidance they need to take their next steps with confidence. These photos are from yesterday's Layoff Transition Information Sessions, where workers learned how to apply for unemployment insurance, job search and training opportunities, healthcare coverage options through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, and free services available through WSPM. Earlier this week, the team also led a resume clinic and will provide additional unemployment insurance support.

We appreciate Daimler's partnership in connecting employees with these services and making support available directly at their worksite. Together, we're helping ensure people can access immediate assistance and prepare for their next career opportunity.

10/16/2026

October is Energy Awareness Month, and we're proud to celebrate our partnership with the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) at the City of Portland, OR! Together, we're helping ensure that investments in Portland's clean energy future also create pathways to economic opportunity.

The clean energy transition requires more than new projects and technologies. It requires people who know how to make that happen. Through our partnership with PCEF, job seekers access career coaching, scholarships, paid training, and support services that break down barriers and prepare them for high-quality careers in fields such as energy-efficient construction, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, weatherization, renewable energy generation, clean technology manufacturing, transportation and public transit, battery and electric vehicle production, natural resource management, and mass timber. These are just a few examples of the jobs that build, maintain, and support a cleaner, more resilient future.

By coordinating with employers, training providers, community-based organizations, and public partners, we help create a more connected workforce system. Combined with our strategies to braid resources, generate matching funds, and integrate multiple funding streams, this approach maximizes impact, expands services, and delivers stronger results for community members, businesses, and our regional economy. PCEF is a huge part of this work, and we're grateful to partner with them to build a more sustainable and equitable future.

10/16/2026

One of our strategic goals is to "Build a Better System." But what does that look like in practice? Our 2025-26 annual report tells part of the story.

Last year, WorkSource Portland Metro served 80,878 people, a 27.3% increase from the previous year. This reflects growing demand from people experiencing layoffs, career transitions, and economic uncertainty.

For employers, it also represents a significant pool of workers, job seekers, career changers, and people building new skills to meet evolving talent needs.

As unemployment rose across our region, Worksystems helped lead the regional response. Through the WorkSource Portland Metro Layoff Transition Team, we coordinated general and employer-specific layoff assistance sessions that connected more than 900 workers to unemployment insurance, job search assistance, training opportunities, health coverage options, and other community resources. The goal is simple: help people transition as quickly as possible into quality jobs with living wages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.

One of the sectors hit hardest was advanced high-tech manufacturing. After major layoffs affected thousands of workers, Worksystems partnered with Washington County and regional partners to organize a Job & Resource Career Expo that connected more than 1,300 job seekers with 50+ employers recruiting for nearly 2,000 openings.

We also secured a $2 million U.S. Department of Labor National Dislocated Worker Grant, creating new resources to help laid-off high-tech workers stay connected to career opportunities in Oregon while supporting employers preparing for the sector's recovery. As hiring begins to rebound, those partnerships and programs are helping employers reconnect with skilled talent.

This is what "Building a Better System" is all about: bringing partners together, aligning resources, and ensuring our workforce system can respond quickly when our region needs it most.

Learn more in our annual report:https://worksystems.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/WS-Annual-Report-PY25-FINAL.pdf

10/15/2026

ICYMI: The 2026 State of the Workforce Report examines the demographic, economic, and labor market trends shaping the future of the Greater Portland Region.

The report indicates slowing population growth, rising affordability pressures, workforce shortages, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence as challenges, while outlining strategies to strengthen the regional talent pipeline and support long-term economic prosperity.

📉 Dig into the data athttps://worksystems.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/State-of-the-Workforce-2026.pdf

Produced by the Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (Clackamas Workforce Partnership, Workforce Southwest Washington, and Worksystems).

10/14/2026

Earlier today, we joined OMEP – Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership to celebrate their 30th anniversary! 🎉

OMEP has been a longtime partner in workforce development and have supported Oregon manufacturing growth for decades. Congratulations on this milestone!

10/12/2026

Earlier today, we celebrated the partners across our youth workforce system who help create opportunities for young people throughout our region.

In summer 2026 alone, SummerWorks sponsored more than 230 interns at nearly 120 worksites. The interns worked a total of 22,000 hours and earned $380,000, thanks in part to funding from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and TriMet.

Now, we're sharing a story that shows that impact in action.
A new article from the City of Portland highlights how SummerWorks connects young people with paid work experiences that help them build skills, confidence, and professional networks while supporting local employers.

The story follows two Portland Community College students who spent the summer interning with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful projects. It also highlights the important role employers and mentors play in helping young people explore careers and develop job-ready skills.

Read the full story here:

Portland employers team up with Worksystems to provide mentorship for interns -- at no cost to them. Interns do meaningful work, gain valuable experience -- and get paid. The City supports the program to grow the workforce of tomorrow. As Michael Scott would say, it's win - win - WIN.

10/12/2026

Investing in our youth strengthens our communities and builds the future talent pipeline employers need. At Worksystems, we connect young people to career coaching, skill development, paid work experiences, and early exposure to career pathways.

But we don't do that work alone.

On Friday, partners from community-based organizations, government, education, and local businesses came together to celebrate the success of SummerWorks, our longstanding work experience program, and the broader network of youth programs that expand opportunity across our region.

Special thanks to Emily Stumpf of Schoolhouse Supplies, Jim Cooper of Neighborhood House, and Boyd Urban of Canary Marketing. All three have hosted SummerWorks interns, with some participants going on to become employees, and shared firsthand the value young people bring to their organizations.

Tiffani Penson from the City of Portland also spoke about the importance of helping young people build job-ready skills early and explore a variety of careers and experiences. You never know what will create a spark.

As a longtime SummerWorks funder and partner, the City hosts interns across multiple bureaus and has helped create opportunities for young people for many years.

Thank you to the many champions who make this work possible. Together, we're helping more young people discover their potential and take meaningful steps toward a successful future.

Learn more about how we support youth at https://worksystems.org/supporting-youth/.

10/09/2026

Manufacturing Makes Oregon! That was the name of one of the panel discussions at the Portland Business Journal Manufacturing Summit & Awards yesterday, and we agree.

The discussions focused on the opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of manufacturing, featuring a fireside chat with leaders from A-dec Inc. and LAIKA Studios, along with conversations around navigating economic uncertainty and the critical role manufacturing plays in Oregon's economy.

Thank you to Candace Beeke for having us and Portland Community College as guests at your table and for the opportunity to connect with the manufacturers that shape our region.

Congratulations to all of the award winners, especially those in our Multnomah and Washington County region, and neighboring Clackamas County: BENCHMADE, Bridgetown Mushrooms, Ceek Women's Health, Gunderson Marine & Iron, LaCrosse Footwear Incorporated/Danner Boots, QB Fabrication & Welding Inc., Ranger Chocolate Co., Skyline Sheet Metal, Inc, Willamette Technical Fabricators, LLC, LAIKA, and Sheldon Manufacturing, Inc.