Future Ready Oregon
Future Ready Oregon, is a comprehensive $200 million investment package that supports the education and training Oregonians need for family-wage careers. 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 & training providers, employers, and communities. The HECC is working to implement this vision and is committed to engaging diverse partners to shape the process. An overview of the components is provided below as well as brief updates. For more detailed updates,
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Workforce Ready GrantsCompetitive 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 Grants 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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Update: The application for the second round of funding known as Innovation in Workforce Programs is now open! Up to $35 million may be awarded to community-based organizations and workforce service providers to develop education and training programs in key sectors of Oregon's economy—healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. The Request for Applications (RFA) includes more detail regarding eligible activities, timelines, guidelines, and requirements for applications. The RFA, including materials in Spanish, can be found on HECC's Grants and Contracts webpage. The deadline to apply is June 23, 2023.
- Potential applicants have access to Technical Assistance providers who can help them understand the terms and requirements of the RFA, as well as provide feedback on application materials, free of charge. Contact information for Technical Assistance providers is included in the RFA. You can learn more about each of the providers through their biographical information, which is listed here:
- Additionally, the HECC has hosted four virtual Information Sessions.
To view a recording, click on one of the sessions below:
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"Prosperity 10,000" Grants to Local Workforce Development Boards
Grants will be made to Oregon's nine local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs), which will distribute the funds to nonprofit 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 and wages, and other income, 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 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 Future Ready Oregon 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 Local Workforce Development Boards in Oregon,
click here
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To locate your
Local Workforce Development Board,
click here
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Postsecondary Career Pathway Training Program Grants
Grants have been 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 career advancement in high-wage, high-demand industries and occupations.
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Update: Contracts have been finalized, and all 17 community colleges are implementing their plans. - 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 the creation/distribution of marketing materials to engage priority populations. Contracts have been finalized, and institutions are implementing their plans. - A full list and description of Credit for Prior Learning activities can be found
here
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For more information about the early implementation of Credit for Prior Learning investments, please visit the
Future Ready Oregon Year One Report
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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 recently interviewed approximately thirty business, education, 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 WTDB convened the Industry Consortia for Healthcare on April 27, 2023, and will the Industry Consortia for Manufacturing and Technology in summer 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 to solicit implementation plans from LWDBs in early 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
- Contact: Lisa Ransom, Apprenticeship and Training Division Director, at
lisa.ransom@boli.oregon.gov
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Youth Development Division (YDD) Youth ProgramsThe YDD 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 YDD’s Future Ready Youth Programs, visit YDD's website
here
- Contact: Sally Deck, Future Ready Oregon Grant Manager, Youth Development Division, at Sally.Deck@ode.oregon.gov
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