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Plan & Pay for College

​​Career and Training Resources

Prior to selecting a college, university or training program, there are many resources to plan and explore career pathways and assess labor market expectations. The links below provide access to a variety of resources, personal assessments and information on in-demand jobs and careers to help you plan your journey.

In addition, Oregon colleges, universities, and postsecondary programs​ assist students with career planning, internships, and more through their career centers and student services. Contact the school or campus that interests you to find out more.​

State of Oregon Resources

Oregon Career Information System (CIS):

The Oregon Career Information System (CIS) is a popular tool in Oregon to help students transition into meaningful work and education.​

Apprenticeships and Training opportunities:

Registered Apprenticeship:

Register​ed Apprenticeship provides individuals with a job, education, and an entry point into a lifelong career. Registered Apprenticeship helps employers develop and cultivate a skilled, certified, and engaged workforce. To learn more about apprenticeship or explore apprenticeship opportunities please visit www.oregonapprenticeship.org.  ​

Apprenticeship Programs (Bureau of Labor and Industry)

Learn more about Oregon apprenticeship and training programs, focusing on construction, industrial and manufacturing​ trades (Bureau of Labor and Industry site).

Find information on jobs and careers, trends in business and industry, and other economic data by state or by local area.

Oregon Employment Department:

Browse job or for other employment services, file an unemployment Insurance claim and more.​ Job seekers and individuals seeking career advancement opportunities should also contact WorkSource Oregon, Oregon’s public workforce system, and locate the WorkSource center in your area.​

Higher Education Coordinating Commission Resources

Adult Basic Skills​:

Adult Basic Skills opportunities provide adult Oregonians the skills they need for family self-sufficiency, careers, community involvement and further education, including instruction in: reading, writing, math, speaking/listening in English; General Educational Development (GED) preparation; high school diploma preparation; and workplace skills including critical thinking, digital literacy, locating and using information, and interpersonal skills. Learn here about the work we do at the HECC to coordinate Adult Basic Skills across the state.​​

ASPIRE Program:

Students can explore interest areas and career profiles offered through the ASPIRE program,​ a mentoring program managed by the HECC Office of Student Access and Completion.​

Career Pathways:

Career Pathways at Oregon community colleges offer a series of connected education and training programs and student support services to help secure a job or advance in a demand industry or occupation. L​earn more about the work we do to coordinate Career Pathways here.

Career and Technical Education:

Career and technical education (CTE) programs and opportunities in Oregon link high schools and community colleges to labor market demand and provides students of all ages with the technical, academic and job skills needed for success. Find out more here about the work we do at the HECC to coordinate CTE.​

Dislocated Worker Program:

As part of HECC’s implementation of federal workforce programs, staff provide guidance and resources to dislocated workers, working closely with the Oregon Employment Department and with WorkSource Oregon partners in the affected region.

Earn a GED in Oregon:

Students who have not earned a high school diploma can prepare and test for the General Educational Development (GED) at more than 70 sites across Oregon. The GED serves as a bridge to higher education, trade schools, apprenticeship programs and employment opportunities. Learn more about our coordination of the GED statewide.​

Youth Workforce Programs:

Oregon Youth Works is comprised of workforce development grant programs housed within HECC’s Office of Workforce Investments:​

Oregon Conservation Corps (OCC): Senate Bill 762 (2021) established The Oregon Conservation Corps (OCC) Program for the purposes of reducing the risk wildfire poses to communities and critical infrastructure, create fire-adapted communities, and engaging youth and young adults in workforce training.  ​​

The Oregon Youth Corps (OYC) creates meaningful opportunities for youth through significant resource projects that enhance the Oregon Community, including through the Summer Conservation Corp (SCC), and funding for youth ​work crews throughout Oregon.The Oregon WIOA Youth Programs​.

Department of Human Services (DHS) Youth Employment Program: The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Youth Employment Program (YEP) is run year-round in order to create employment experiences for youth in the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) Program. ​​​

The Oregon WIOA Youth Programs ​ provides workforce development training opportunities to young people ages 14-24 through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Note: HECC does not directly hire young Oregonians for these programs, but coordinates with local and regional programs.

Resources for Veterans

Additional Resources

Occupational Outlook Handbook: find career information including duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations (site sponsored by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Occupational Information Network - O*NET Online: search for a wide array of occupational information. O*NET is being developed under the sponsorship of the US Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Big Future: explore majors matching their interests, and browse career ideas (site sponsored by The College Board).

Contact Us

Find HECC staff contact info by frequent topics of interest

Staff directory for Office of Workforce Investment​