Future Ready Oregon
Future Ready Oregon is a comprehensive $200 million investment package that supports the education and training Oregonians need for good-paying jobs. This package includes strategic and targeted investments focused on advancing opportunities for historically underserved communities.
Future Ready Oregon originated in the Racial Justice Council’s (RJC) Workforce Workgroup, and the package was led by Governor Brown and championed by many partners before the Oregon Legislature’s approval in the 2022 Legislature Session. This historic package invests in existing successful programs and in innovative equity-focused solutions to bolster recruitment, retention, and career advancement opportunities for priority populations. Many of the funds will be administered through the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, working with Local Workforce Development Boards, community-based and culturally specific organizations, education and training providers, employers, and communities. The HECC is working to implement this vision and is committed to engaging diverse partners to shape the process. See below for an overview of the components, as well as brief updates. For more detailed updates,
subscribe to email updates here.
Workforce Ready Grants
Competitive grants will be awarded to workforce service providers and community-based organizations that administer workforce programs in the healthcare, manufacturing, and technology industry sectors. Workforce Ready Grant funding encourages innovation and removes barriers to job training and education for historically underserved and marginalized populations. Funds can be used for:
- Paid work experience, including stipends and wages
- Tuition and fee assistance for workforce programs
- Wraparound workforce development services
- Development of culturally and linguistically specific career pathways for obtaining certificates or credentials recognized by targeted industry sectors
- Funding for organizational investments
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WORKFORCE READY GRANTS, ROUND 2 UPDATE:
The second round of Workforce Ready Grants focuses on innovation in workforce programs that center the need's of Oregon's underserved and marginalized communities and connect individuals to the resources they need for good-paying jobs and meaningful careers in key sectgors of Oregon's economy—healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Read our announcement of the Round Two grantees here. A complete list and preliminary description of the grant-funded projects can be found here.
To receive updates on Workforce Ready Grants, sign up for the Future Ready Oregon newsletter here. |
Prosperity 10,000 Grants to Local Workforce Development Boards
Grants will be made to Oregon's nine Local Workforce Development Boards, which will distribute the funds to community based organizations, educational institutions, labor organizations, and other workforce service providers. Funds can be used to provide the following: - Career coaching, occupational training, and job placement services
- Wraparound supports and services that are necessary to facilitate re-engagement in the workforce, including, but not limited to, transportation, child care, and rental assistance
- Paid work experiences, including stipends, wages and other income, and supports for individuals from priority populations
- Targeted recruitment and engagement efforts
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Update: The first round of funding has been distributed to the Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs), and they are currently implementing their plans. The second round of funding will be distributed to LWDBs in early 2023. - For more information about Prosperity 10,000 grant-funded activities undertaken by the LWDBs,
click here to view a short video
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To learn more about the Oregon Workforce Partnership, comprised of the nine LWDBs in Oregon,
click here
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To locate your LWDB,
click here
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Postsecondary Career Pathway Training Program Grants
Grants will be awarded to Oregon’s 17 community colleges for the development and support of postsecondary career pathway training programs that provide individuals from priority populations with opportunities and student supports to obtain the necessary skills for securing a job or for career advancement in high-wage, high-demand industries and occupations.
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Update: All 17 community colleges
have implemented and completed activities for the one-year Future Ready Oregon
investment in Community College Career Pathways.
- A full list and description of Career Pathways activities can be found here
- For more information about the early implementation of Career Pathways investments, please visit the
Future Ready Oregon Year One Report
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Credit for Prior Learning GrantsGrants have been awarded to Oregon’s community colleges and public universities to increase opportunities for students from priority populations to receive academic credit for the knowledge and skills gained through work and life experience, military training and experience, and through formal and informal education and training from institutions of higher education in the United States and in other nations, with such academic credit counting toward a certificate or credential that provides a pathway to employment or career advancement.
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Update: Of the 25 public institutions that were eligible for Credit for Prior Learning Grant funding, 14 community colleges and 5 public universities applied and received a total of $10 million. The overwhelming majority of grantees are focused on expanding Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), creating transparent systems, increasing staff capacity to support CPL students, and creating and distributing marketing materials to engage priority populations. Contracts have been finalized, and institutions are implementing their plans. |
Three separate, statewide Industry Consortia are being established to represent the healthcare, manufacturing, and technology industry sectors. The purpose of each consortium is to establish strategic partnerships, develop structured processes to address mutual industry goals, identify industry-specific workforce needs in this state, develop targeted recruitment strategies to increase equitable participation, and promote workforce development programs and activities in the targeted industry sectors.
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Updates: To best position Industry Consortia for success, the HECC and the
Workforce and Talent Development Board (WTDB) contracted with
The Woolsey Group to help design the Industry Consortia framework and engage industry partners. Woolsey interviewed approximately 30 business, education providers, and community leaders to better understand Oregon’s workforce needs and develop recommendations. Industry Consortia will advise the WTDB, informing strategic planning, policy, and investments for key industry sectors.
The HECC and WTDB launched the Healthcare Industry Consortium on April 27, 2023; the Technology Industry Consortium on June 12, 2023; and the Manufacturing Industry Consortium on August 29, 2023.
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Workforce Benefits Navigator Grants
Grants will be awarded to Oregon’s nine Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) to place Workforce Benefits Navigators in comprehensive one-stop WorkSource Oregon centers and community-based organizations across the state. These navigators will serve as a single point of contact to help individuals, particularly those from priority populations, access the resources that match their unique needs.
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Update: The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) plans solicited implementation plans from LWDBs in late summer 2023.
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Components of Future Ready Oregon Implemented by Partner Agencies
For additional information and updates, please contact these agencies directly.
Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) Registered ApprenticeshipsCompetitive grants will be awarded to community-based organizations, labor organizations, local workforce development boards, and other entities that develop apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training programs.
- For more information regarding BOLI’s Future Ready Oregon Apprenticeship Grants Program, visit BOLI's website
here
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Youth Development Oregon (YDO) Youth ProgramsYDO will request and evaluate proposals for grants to be awarded to entities that provide youth and young adults from priority populations with increased access to youth workforce programs. Funds will be used for paid work experiences, workforce readiness training, and job placement services.
- For more information regarding YDO’s Future Ready Youth Programs, visit YDO's website
here
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