Oregon Prosperity Council ReportJune 2026 · progressive-disclosure index

03. Oregon Workforce Partnership

LeafSource PDF pp. 116–120 ↗view raw markdown

03. Oregon Workforce Partnership

Recommendations to Advance Oregon’s Prosperity Roadmap and Modernize Oregon’s Workforce Leadership Executive Summary Governor Kotek’s Prosperity Roadmap sets near-term administrative actions and a 2027 legislative framework to retain and grow businesses, catalyze job creation, and accelerate statewide economic growth. Oregon’s workforce system—governed by the Workforce and Talent Development Board (WTDB) and delivered through nine Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) and WorkSource Oregon centers—offers a platform to align governance, performance, and industry engagement with the Roadmap (via the approved 2024–2028 WIOA Combined State Plan.) This brief proposes eight actions in two time horizons (≤6 months and the 2027 legislative session). The proposed actions borrow proven elements from other states where public workforce system resources, including TANF, SNAP E&T, and WIOA programs are aligned under a streamlined state/regional governance structure with unified performance reporting. The recommendations also introduces a new regional industry council model staffed by LWDBs. Councils consolidate industry engagement across K–12, community colleges, and universities, creating a single employer-led table to identify needs, inform curricula, scale work-based learning, and measure results. Recommendations

  1. Support Prosperity Programs (LC130) The $15M state investment in workforce development will support not only preparing people to qualify for employment but will also support talent development within existing companies to ensure they have the talent needed to stay in business and/or potentially expand.
  2. Clarify & Modernize Executive Order 13-08 Rationale: EO 13-08’s intent—reducing fragmentation, empowering LWDBs, reestablishing roles and responsibilities—remains sound but needs modernization to align with the Roadmap. Near-term (≤6 months): Issue an EO 13-08 Modernization Addendum that (a) codifies the roles and responsibilities of LWDBs as accountable resource coordinators and conveners for sector partnerships; (b) clarifies WTDB’s statewide policy authority and multi-agency implementation; and (c) creates a joint performance compact linked to Roadmap KPIs. 2027 session: Codify WTDB multi-partner policy authority, unified reporting, co-investment rules, and data-sharing standards across public workforce system partners, including HECC-OWI, OED, DHS, VR, BOLI and Business Oregon.
  3. Streamline State-Level Governance & Program Administration Rationale: WTDB’s Continuous Improvement Committee (CIC) calls for clearer authority and exploration of WIOA reorganization; the Roadmap adds a Chief Prosperity Officer (CPO) and Prosperity Council to anchor accountability. Near-term (≤6 months): Stand up an Office of Workforce System Performance to unify policy implementation, performance management, and reporting across programs; launch a unified scorecard. 2027 session: Consider administrative consolidation of programs that make up Oregon’s public workforce system.
  4. Align TANF Employment & Training with WIOA (Borrowing Best Practices) Rationale: Aligning TANF E&T with WIOA improves co-enrollment, case management, and outcomes. Texas administers TANF Choices through the Workforce Commission and local Boards; Florida integrates TANF/SNAP E&T in its Combined Plan; Michigan’s PATH is co-run by DHHS and LEO; Colorado Works integrates with workforce centers.

Near-term (≤6 months): Pilot TANF–WIOA co-enrollment in two-three regions with shared intake, single employment plans, co-funded supports, and joint reporting; execute MOUs to co-locate TANF employment services in WorkSource centers. 2027 session: Statutorily authorize TANF E&T alignment with WIOA and empower WTDB to set cross-program policies for co-enrollment, performance, infrastructure funding, and shared provider lists. 5. Build a Unified Performance & Data System Tied to the Roadmap Near-term (≤6 months): Launch an Oregon Talent Dashboard that mirrors Colorado’s (top jobs, credential gaps, equity metrics, regional outcomes) and publish unified WorkSource metrics quarterly. 2027 session: Mandate interagency and system partner data-sharing agreements and align statutory performance reporting with the WIOA plan cycle. 6. Lift Up the WorkSource Oregon Data System Near-term (≤6 months): Ensure the new system can accommodate the functionality to enroll all high school graduates and post secondary graduates into the new WorkSource Oregon data system. 2027 session; codify the requirement to enroll all high school and post secondary graduates into the WorkSource Oregon data system. 7. Tie Workforce Delivery to Fast-Tracked Projects & Investment Tools Near-term (≤6 months): Require workforce execution plans for fast-tracked economic development projects under the Roadmap (talent pipelines, training seats, supportive services, LWDB accountability); integrate WorkSource business services into Business Oregon outreach and regional solutions activities. 2027 session: Modernize incentives to link state support with local hiring, training, and job-quality metrics reported via the Talent Dashboard. 8. Regional Industry Councils (RICs): Consolidating Employer Engagement Across Education & Workforce Purpose: Create employer-led Regional Industry Councils (RICs) for high-demand sectors (e.g., Health, Construction, IT/Analytics, Advanced Manufacturing) staffed by LWDBs. RICs provide a single table for industry to articulate regional skill and talent needs, streamline engagement across K–12, community colleges, and universities, and establish a curriculum feedback loop and outcomes measurement. Charter & Governance Charter: RICs are convened and staffed by LWDBs under WTDB policy; co-chaired by employers and education leaders (CC/University/ESD). Scope: Identify occupational demand, skills and credential requirements, job-quality standards, and work-based learning opportunities. Authority: Recommend curriculum updates to K–12 CTE, community college programs, and university departments; advise on program approval and capacity targets; inform industry changes and outlook. Alignment: RICs operate within labor-shed aligned regions and report to WTDB and the CPO’s Prosperity Council to tie outcomes to Roadmap KPIs. Membership Employers (anchor firms, SMEs, and unions where applicable).

LWDB leadership and sector partnership staff (convener, data lead). Education partners: ESD superintendents/CTE directors, community college deans, university department chairs, adult education and apprenticeship sponsors. Public partners: HECC-OWI, OED, Business Oregon, VR, DHS (TANF), local governments/regional solutions. Operating Model Quarterly RIC meetings with a published agenda, minutes, and action trackers; annual sector action plans. Data backbone via the Oregon Talent Dashboard and regional LMI to identify top jobs, skills gaps, and equity gaps. Curriculum Feedback Loop: standardized templates for competency frameworks, course/module changes, and equipment needs; shared calendar for program review cycles. Work-Based Learning: set targets for paid internships, youth apprenticeships, clinicals, and OJT placements; align funding and braided supports (WIOA, TANF, Perkins, state grants, etc.). Outcome Measurement: common KPIs—enrollment, completion, credential attainment, employment, wages, retention, employer satisfaction; quarterly publication on the dashboard. Equity & Access: track participation and outcomes for priority populations; ensure wraparound supports (childcare, transportation, tools, stipends). Implementation Timeline Near-term (≤6 months): ● 0–90 days: Identify priority sectors per WTDB Talent Assessment; select pilot regions; recruit co-chairs; approve RIC charters. ● 90–180 days: Publish first sector action plans and curriculum feedback packages; launch shared intake for paid work-based learning (youth + adults); start dashboard reporting [2, 17]. 2027 session: Codify RICs and sector partnerships in statute; establish multi-agency funding contribution and performance-based grants tied to Roadmap outcomes. SUMMARY Near-Term Action Plan (January–June 2026)

  1. Issue and pass Prosperity Programs bill

  2. Issue EO 13-08 Modernization Addendum (roles, authority, performance compact)

  3. Stand up an Office of Workforce System Performance to unify policy implementation, performance management, and reporting across programs; launch a unified agency scorecard.

  4. Launch TANF–WIOA co-enrollment pilots with MOUs and co-location in WorkSource center

  5. Stand up Office of Workforce System Performance and unified scorecard; release Oregon Talent Dashboard MVP

  6. Require WorkSource Oregon to build a data system capable of enrolling all high school or post secondary graduates

  7. Require workforce execution plans for fast-tracked economic development projects under the Roadmap (talent pipelines, training seats, supportive services, LWDB accountability); integrate WorkSource business services into Business Oregon outreach and regional solutions activities.

  8. Form initial RICs in two pilot regions; deliver curriculum feedback packages and work-based learning targets. Proposals for the 2027 Legislative Session

  9. Codify WTDB multi-partner policy authority, unified reporting, co-investment rules, and data-sharing standards across public workforce system partners, including HECC-OWI, OED, DHS, VR, BOLI and Business Oregon

  10. Consider administrative consolidation of programs that make up Oregon’s public workforce system.

  11. Statutorily authorize TANF E&T alignment with WIOA and empower WTDB to set cross-program policies for co-enrollment, performance, infrastructure funding, and shared provider lists.

  12. Mandate interagency and system partner data-sharing agreements and align statutory performance reporting with the WIOA plan cycle.

  13. Codify the requirement to enroll all high school and post secondary graduates into the WorkSource Oregon data system.

  14. Modernize incentives to link state support with local hiring, training, and job-quality metrics reported via the Talent Dashboard.

  15. Create Sector Partnership & RIC statute with flexible multi-agency funding and performance-based grants Appendices ● A. Draft EO 13-08 Modernization Addendum – bullets for roles, authorities, and performance compact. ● B. Sample MOU Outline – DHS (TANF), HECC-OWI (WIOA), LWDBs for co-location and co-enrollment. ● C. Regional Industry Council Charter Template – purpose, governance, membership, KPIs. ● D. Unified Metrics Dictionary – definitions and data sources for dashboard reporting. References [1] Governor’s Office press release: Prosperity Roadmap – apps.oregon.gov/newsroom (Dec 3, 2025) [2] WTDB Continuous Improvement Assessment Summary (Dec 2024): oregon.gov/workforceboard/data-and-reports/Documents/Continuous Improvement Assessment Report Sum mary.pdf [3] WTDB 2024 Talent Assessment (SRI International): highered/strategy-research/Documents/Reports/2024-talent-assessment.pdf [4] OPB coverage of Prosperity Roadmap (Dec 2, 2025): opb.org/article/2025/12/02/oregon-governor-tina-kotek-ready-tackle-state-lousy-business-reputation/ [5] KOIN/Portland Business Journal coverage (Dec 2, 2025): koin.com/news/oregon/gov-tina-kotek-lays-out-prosperity-roadmap-for-2026/; kgw.com/article/news/state/oregon-gov-kotek-debuts-prosperity-roadmap [6] WTDB Policy & Planning, WIOA Combined State Plan (2024–2028): oregon.gov/workforceboard/about/Pages/Planning-&-Policy.aspx [7] WTDB Local Workforce Development Boards (map of nine local areas): oregon.gov/workforceboard/workforcesystem/Pages/Local Workforce Development Boards.aspx [8] Worksystems WIOA Local Plan (2024–2028): worksystems.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Worksystems_WIOA-Plan_2024-2028.pdf [9] Texas Workforce Commission – WIOA Program: twc.texas.gov/programs/wioa [10] Texas Workforce Commission – TANF Choices Program: twc.texas.gov/programs/choices [11] TWC WIOA Operations Guide: twc.texas.gov/sites/default/files/wf/docs/wioa-operations-guide-twc.pdf

[12] Florida CareerSource – 2024–2028 WIOA Combined Plan (includes TANF/SNAP E&T): careersourceflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-2028-WIOA-Combined-Plan.pdf [13] FloridaJobs – Welfare Transition Program: floridajobs.org/office-directory/division-of-workforce-services/workforce-programs/welfare-transition-program [14] Michigan LEO – PATH overview: michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/programs-services/partnership-accountability-training-hope- [15] Michigan Works! Southwest – PATH program summary: michiganworkssouthwest.org/.../ProgramSummary_PATH-AEP_May23-2023_Final.pdf [16] Colorado Works (CDHS) and CDLE Workforce Centers: cdhs.colorado.gov/colorado-works; cdle.colorado.gov/jobs-training/workforce-centers [17] Colorado Talent Pipeline – Dashboard: coloradotalentdashboard.com [18] Colorado Talent Pipeline Report (2023/2024 releases): cwdc.colorado.gov/blog-post/11th-annual-talent-pipeline-report-released

Parent: Appendix E: Submissions & Feedback · PDF: pp. 116-120