--- kind: section source_pdf: oregon-prosperity-council-report-june-2026.pdf fingerprint: 8ac9aef8ca1b page_range: [28, 29] breadcrumb: ["Full Report", "Chapter 5: Talent Development", "Background & Problem Statement"] source_links: pdf: "https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=28" raw_pages: - "../../../.extracted/pages/page-0028.txt" - "../../../.extracted/pages/page-0029.txt" --- # Background & Problem Statement ## TL;DR *(generated · confidence: high)* Oregon's workforce system—spanning K-12, community colleges, universities, and apprenticeship programs—is fragmented and poorly coordinated with employers, limiting student outcomes and talent pipeline development. The state significantly underinvests in higher education, ranking 37th nationally in per-student appropriations and investing 24% less than the national average, resulting in the highest tuition costs in the West and barriers to workforce development. **Key points** *(each cites a PDF page)*: - Oregon's workforce system is fragmented, difficult to navigate, and less aligned than peer states, with limited coordination with employers and low transferability between institutions ([p. 29](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=29)) - Oregon ranks 37th nationally in higher education appropriations per full-time student ([p. 29](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=29)) - Oregon invests 24% less per student than the national average ([p. 29](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=29)) - Oregon's public four-year institutions have the highest average tuition and fees in the West ([p. 29](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=29)) - Oregon's community colleges rank second highest in average tuition and fees ([p. 29](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=29)) - Underinvestment in higher education creates barriers for students and limits the state's ability to develop the talent pipeline needed for long-term economic competitiveness ([p. 29](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=29)) Amounts: 37th · 24% · highest in the West · second highest > **Source:** PDF [pp. 28-29](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=28) · raw: [28](../../../.extracted/pages/page-0028.txt) · [29](../../../.extracted/pages/page-0029.txt) Breadcrumb: Full Report > Chapter 5: Talent Development > Background & Problem Statement --- CHAPTER FIVE Talent Development F O C U S : Workforce FOCUS Workforce Talent Development Background and Problem Statement Oregon’s workforce system—spanning K-12, community colleges, universities, workforce boards, apprenticeship programs, and community-based organizations—plays a central role in preparing workers and supporting employer talent needs across urban and rural communities. The system helps determine whether businesses can find, train, and retain the workforce needed to grow and compete. However, the system is fragmented, difficult to navigate, and less aligned than comparable models in peer states. Limited coordination with employers and low transferability between institutions contribute to inconsistent outcomes. Underinvestment in higher education is also a challenge. Oregon ranks 37th nationally in higher education appropriations per full-time student and invests 24% less per student than the national average, contributing to some of the highest tuition costs in the West. Oregon’s public four-year institutions have the highest average tuition and fees in the West, while community colleges rank second highest, increasing reliance on tuition revenue creates barriers for students and limits the state’s ability to develop the talent pipeline needed for long-term economic competitiveness. OREGON’S HIGHER EDUCATION, per student RANKED INVESTS 37th th % LESS 37 24 NATIONALLY IN PER STUDENT THAN APPROPRIATIONS THE NATIONAL AVERAGE --- Parent: [Chapter 5: Talent Development](./INDEX.md) · PDF: [pp. 28-29](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=28)