Introduction to the Components of Future Ready Oregon to be Implemented by the HECC
Thank you for your interest in Future Ready Oregon, a comprehensive $200 million package of strategic and targeted investments that supports the education and training Oregonians need for family-wage careers. This package, approved in the 2022 Legislative Session, 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 (HECC), working with local workforce development boards, community-based and culturally-specific organizations, education & training providers, employers, and communities. The HECC is committed to engaging diverse partners to shape the process. An overview of the components administered by the HECC is provided below, and we will send future updates to this list as the work moves forward.
"Prosperity 10,000" Grants: $35 million total investment
Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) will distribute funds to nonprofit
community-based organizations, educational institutions, labor organizations
and other workforce service providers to provide services. Services will include career coaching, occupational training, job placement services, wraparound supports, paid work experiences and targeted recruitment and engagement efforts.
- LWDBs will receive their first round of funds in May 2022.
Workforce Ready Grants: $95 million total investment
Grants will be awarded to nonprofit workforce service providers and nonprofit
community-based organizations who administer workforce programs in the health
care, manufacturing and technology industry sectors. Grants will support paid work experiences, workforce program tuition and fee assistance, wraparound services, the development of culturally and linguistically specific career pathways and organizational developments.
- The first Request for Application will be posted in Spring 2022, and will focus on capacity building.
Postsecondary Career Pathway Training Program: $14.9 million total investment
Grants will be awarded to 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.
- The grants will be distributed using a funding formula. Community colleges have been informed of their expected awarded amount, and are required to submit a budget and descriptions of fund usage.
Credit for Prior Learning Grants: $10 million total investment
Grants will be awarded to community colleges and universities to support increasing opportunities for students from priority populations to receive academic credit for the knowledge and skills gained through work and life experience, through military training and experience, and through other formal and informal education and training from institutions of higher education.
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Grants will be awarded based on the criteria outlined in SB 1545 and in alignment with the Oregon Credit for Prior Learning Standards. The Request for Applications is coming soon.
Benefits Navigators: $10 million total investment
Grants will be awarded to LWDBs to place workforce benefits navigators in comprehensive one-stop WorkSource Oregon centers or community-based organizations. 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.
- We anticipate having more to share in the coming months.
Industry Consortia: $1 million total investment
Three separate, statewide industry consortia will be established to represent the health care, manufacturing and technology industry sectors. They will build strategic partnerships, address mutual industry goals, identify industry-specific workforce needs, develop targeted
recruitment strategies, and promote workforce development programs and activities.
- We anticipate having more to share in the coming months.
Components of Future Ready Oregon Administered by other Agencies:
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