State Releases the 2026 Oregon Talent Assessment Detailing Emerging Workforce and Education Needs Across Oregon Industries
Released at the biennial Oregon Talent Summit, the report developed by ECOnorthwest analyzes the talent development landscape in Oregon
Salem, Oregon – The State of Oregon has released the 2026 Oregon Talent Assessment, a research analysis focused on emerging trends in the economic and workforce landscape in Oregon, which offers recommendations for the state to build a stronger talent pool and workforce development system. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and the Workforce and Talent Development Board (WTBD) contracted with ECOnorthwest to develop this comprehensive analysis for Oregon. The 2026 Talent Assessment provides a framework to help identify priority industries and occupations while highlighting current and anticipated major workforce challenges and opportunities.
The analysis draws from economic data and employer input from across Oregon’s businesses and industries, where changing workforce demands, artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and demographic shifts are expected to transform many talent development needs. This year's assessment shows that demand for workers in key sectors of Oregon’s economy remains strong, even amidst slowing employment growth over the next decade. The researchers argue that a more connected approach is needed in education, training, and economic development to help more Oregonians access and stay in good jobs.
Commissioned every two years since 2018, the 2026 analysis is the fifth Talent Assessment for Oregon. Highlights of the report were presented at the Oregon Talent Summit in Salem on May 19, which brought together more than 400 people from across public policy, education, and workforce development for a day-long conference focused on “Bridging Vision and Action: Forging Oregon’s Path Forward.”
Andrew Dyke, senior economist and partner at ECOnorthwest, says, “In this time of amplified economic uncertainty, Oregon’s workforce must evolve. Disruptive technological change and demographic transitions are rapidly reshaping the nature of work, complicating workforce planning. The state should use this moment to leverage opportunities that promote economic growth and respond to these evolving workforce needs. Oregon’s long-term economic competitiveness depends on coordination across workforce and economic development to develop systems that are more aligned, responsive, and equitable.”
In addition to the expectation that Oregon employment growth will slow in the coming decade compared to the last fifteen years, the researchers report that an aging population, immigration changes, and the rapid expansion of AI add considerable uncertainty to the workforce landscape. The report combines labor market analysis, employer interviews, demographic data, and sector and occupation identification to guide workforce investments, education alignment, and economic development policy.
Among other findings, this year’s Talent Assessment identifies 15 in-demand sectors, including: advanced manufacturing, healthcare, clean energy, construction, agriculture, and others (see full list at the end of this release*) for the WTDB to focus on in the coming years. Additionally, it identifies 209 priority occupations that are in-demand, high-skill, and high-wage, or critical to an in-demand industry. These criteria align with Workforce Pell eligibility requirements for occupations to be in-demand, high-skill, and high-wage. HECC staff and the WTDB are working on guidance for Oregon program eligibility for the new Workforce Pell Grant in accordance with federal requirements, and the occupation list will inform these efforts.
KS Venkatraman, chair of the WTDB and former director of AI Computing at NVIDIA, says, “Oregon’s Talent Assessment reinforces what this summit made clear: Oregon has thriving high-demand industry sectors with growing opportunity for Oregonians, and our competitive edge will come from developing the talent that we need, including by building AI fluency alongside the employability skills that help people adapt, collaborate, and lead in a changing economy."
Interviews across sectors show that for employers, entry-level jobs are easier to fill, but mid-level talent is hard to find and keep. Businesses often prioritize practical skills over credentials, and nearly all reported that entry-level hires needed improvement in essential employability skills, such as reliability, communication, and problem-solving. The report also highlights the challenge of K–12 and college curricula to keep pace with how quickly industries are changing, especially around digital tools and AI.
Julia Pontoni, director of workforce investments for the HECC, says, “We are pleased to present this timely, rigorous study that can guide our collaborative work to drive economic development and foster equitable prosperity for all Oregonians. We hope the Talent Assessment is used broadly to help inform education and training efforts, and to better connect the fast-changing needs of Oregon’s businesses and communities with talented employees.”
The Talent Assessment authors recommend that Oregon better integrate its workforce, education, and economic development systems by:
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working toward a statewide, unified, cross-sector workforce development coordination model that sets shared priorities, expands work-based learning, and focuses on retention and advancement
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improving data collection, access, transparency, and linkages across workforce, education, and employment systems to guide decisions and track outcomes
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addressing credential shortages, job quality, structural barriers, and underrepresentation so more Oregonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) workers and women can enter, complete, and advance through workforce pathways
The Oregon Talent Summit, where the Assessment was presented, is a biennial event hosted by the WTDB since 2018 and featuring numerous esteemed speakers and panelists who are national and local leaders in education, business, and workforce development. In addition to presenting the Talent Assessment, the event featured keynote speakers and presentations aimed at strengthening alignment and partnership in workforce and education communities by sharing insights on economic development needs in the state.
Skip Newberry, vice chair of the WTDB and president and CEO, Technology Association of Oregon (TAO), says, "Achieving greater alignment across organizations, sectors and institutions requires trust and strong relationships. The Talent Summit plays an essential role by bringing together hundreds of Oregon partners—from industry, government, education and the workforce system—for a full-day of discussions, learning, and collaborative problem-solving. I noticed a sense of urgency and eagerness among the attendees in helping Oregon to meet this moment and work together for a shared future."
Appendix:
*15 in-demand sectors identified in the 2026 Oregon Talent Assessment (see details starting on page 18 of the report)
- Healthcare
- Social Assistance/Care Economy
- High Tech/Software/IT
- Construction
- Business Services
- Forest & Wood Products
- Food & Beverages
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Design & Media
- Agriculture
- Bioscience
- Outdoor Gear & Apparel
- Tourism
- Clean Energy/Climate Tech
- Maritime/Blue Economy
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