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News and Agency Info

​​​​​​​​The Employment Department was created in 1993. The department is an active partner in the development of the state's workforce.

The Employment Department strives to promote employment of Oregonians through developing a diversified, multi-skilled workforce, and providing support during periods of unemployment.

Through 47 offices across the state, the department serves job seekers and employers by helping workers find suitable employment; providing qualified applicants for employers; supplying statewide and local labor market information; and providing unemployment insurance benefits to workers temporarily unemployed through no fault of their own.

The department offers a number of services. It serves employers through timely recruitment of a qualified workforce, customizing state and local labor market information for use as a business planning tool, and by offering job-matching services based on the need of each employer. Labor market economists and research analysts identify major workforce policy areas that require additional research and present their findings and ideas for solutions to decision makers. Statewide, regional, and local economic information is prepared for use by employers, community leaders, and policy makers. The department helps job seekers find jobs that match their skills and employers' needs, provides them with up-to-date information about trends in occupations and skills needed for success in the job market, and works with other agencies to direct them to appropriate training programs and job experiences.

​​2021-23 Governor's Budget