Gain relevant work experience and life skills. Explore career-identifying opportunities. Find financial aid resources for continued learning.
There are many pathways to a successful and satisfying career. There is not a required one-size-fits-all education solution. The future of learning is flexible and can meet you where you are at. However, the skills required by business in the future economy do require continuing your education.
The Workforce Talent Development Board (WTDB) helps both younger and older students connect to data, information, resources, services and employers to help them along their journey as they make important decisions about their education, training, jobs and/or careers. The following are some helpful resources the board helps to shape:
Career Connected Learning
Learn more about the broad array of career connected learning opportunities in Oregon that span from pre-K to adulthood including Career Awareness and Career Exploration (learning about work), Career Preparation (learning through work), and Career Training (learning for work). Use Career Journeys videos to learn about real-world experiences finding pathways to careers.
Learn more about Career Connected Learning
Career Research and Planning
Gain employable skills, discover a new career path, explore high wage and high demand careers, and create an education plan to help you meet your goals.
Research skills that match the opportunities in your community
Visit your local WorkSource Oregon Center to access training and skills development resources to gain essential employability skills, discover a new career path, gain money management skills, and find tutoring, mentoring, and counseling services. Explore high wage & high demand careers
Access information on high wage - high demand jobs, education and skills requirements, and the nature of the work. The
Career Explorer tool can help find the right fit for you and your future.
Create an accurate career and education plan
Use the
Oregon CIS system containing reports about 600+ occupation tiles to research current employment rates, wages, outlook, hiring practices, preparation, and licensing, in addition to the skills, abilities, and knowledge required.
Labor Market Information
Research and learn facts about Oregon's labor market and understand which wage hours and laws may apply to you.
Learn facts and statistics about Oregon's labor market
Learn about careers, wages, economic and workforce trends, training and education programs and much more at
QualityInfo.org, WorkSource Oregon's labor market and career information website.
Understand wage and hours laws for youth
You can gain work experience
even though you are under 18. Understand the opportunities that may be available to you working with your school's career and counseling staff.
Work-Based Learning
Work-based Learning is a key component of career connected learning but not the only component. There are many additional strategies including workplace tours, business guest speakers, career fairs, visiting adults at work, informational interviews, job shadows, service learning, and others. These can be in-person or, in some case virtual.
Oregon Youth Employment
Program
Gain meaningful work experience and workforce training such as summer jobs, internships, pre-apprenticeships, and job shadows. This program is open for those ages 14-26.
Request more information
Oregon Youth Transition
Program
Get prepared, as student with disabilities, for employment or career-related postsecondary education or training through pre-employment transition activities and supports.
Learn more about OYT
Oregon Youth Corp
Participate in an experience where you can be part of a crew, learn valuable skills, obtain credit, and work outside while earning a wage. This program is open for those ages 14-26.
Find a local Youth Corp
Oregon Conservation Corp
Partner with the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Community Foundation to reduce wildfires risk posed to communities and critical infrastructure, help create fire-adapted communities, and engage in relevant workforce training. This program is open for those ages 14-26.
Request more information DHS TANF Youth Employment Program
Participate in employment and self-sufficiency services, receive ongoing screening, assessment and case management, while participating in activities such as life skills, basic education, job readiness or work experience that address barriers to self-sufficiency. This program is open for teen parents ages 16-24.
Learn more about TANF
Adult Education Assistance
Adult basic education can help if you want to improve skills in reading, math, and writing, or to prepare for the State GED Examination. Help is available for non-native speakers to improve their language skills.
Learn about adult education
Apprenticeship Opportunities
There are many pathways to a successful and satisfying career. There is not a required one-size-fits-all education solution. The future of learning is flexible and can meet you where you are at. However, the skills required by business in the future economy do require continuing your education.
Connect with opportunities that allow you to earn while you learn. An
Apprenticeship is a unique opportunity where you work in high wage, in-demand jobs while learning and earn more as your skills increase.
View apprenticeship opportunities
Pre-Apprenticeship Opportunities
Access programs that will help you understand more and provide you with resources to be Registered Apprenticeship Ready.
Learn about Pre-Apprenticeships
Credentials for Careers
Credentials include certificates awarded by an educational institution and tied to a program of study, industry certifications awarded by a certification body and tied to the demonstration of knowledge, skills, and abilities, licenses that allow a holder to practice in a specified field, and apprenticeships. Credentials are typically not referring to degrees (e.g. Bachelor's Degree).
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Acquire the technical skills, professional practices, and academic knowledge critical for career success in high-wage, in-demand areas.
Learn more about CTE
Research Career Pathway Roadmaps
More than 450 online career pathway roadmaps are available and can be best accessed by
searching "career pathway" on a community college website. These describe the pathway to employment, labor market information, high school and pre-college "entry points", stackable certificate options, university and continuing education "exit points"
View Community Colleges College Credit and Prior Learning
Learn how to earn college credit while in high school or for completing Prior Learning and understand financial aid opportunities available by applying for Federal student aid.
Earn College Credit while in High School
You can earn college credit while in high school. These dual credit or accelerated learning programs are widely available in Oregon. Your best resources for finding accelerated learning opportunities is your career and counseling staff or teachers connected to an area of interest.
Learn more about college credit
Earn College Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
There are a growing number of opportunities to earn college credit for prior learning particularly for skills and training acquired while serving in the military. Explore these opportunities by searching "credit for prior learning" at each community college website.
Learn more about CPL
Explore Oregon Colleges, Universities, & Career Schools
Oregon has hundreds of opportunities if you want to earn a postsecondary education degree or credential. Whether you are seeking to improve career training, earn a certificate at a community college, complete a bachelor’s degree at a university, or pursue graduate and professional study, a wide variety of programs and campus environments awaits you.
Find your future college or school
Plan and Pay for College
Understand Financial Aid in Oregon
Go to Oregon Student Aid site at OregonStudentAid.gov to learn about financial aid, important deadlines, and apply for public and private student aid.
More Planning Resources
Find more student resources to plan and pay for college and map your career journey on Higher Education Coordinating Commission's Plan and Pay for College page.
Job Searches
Browse for available jobs in Oregon or get one-on-one assistance with your job search.
Get assistance with job searches
Take advantage of programs and services from WorkSource Oregon that assist you in your search for jobs. Meet one-on-one to complete a Welcome Conversation to create an individual employment plan to help you identify your career goals and successfully search for jobs.
Start your job search
Browse available jobs in Oregon
Search job openings posted with the Oregon Employment Department (OED) by keyword and location, filter by occupation, wage, full/part time work, duration, and more. Many jobs listings even allow you to contact the employer directly to apply for the position.
Browse jobs