Youth & Adult Workforce Partnerships
Contact: Amy Fleck-Rosete, email
Prosper Portland, in collaboration with Worksystems, Inc. (WSI), funds youth and adult workforce development programs for low-income Portlanders, helping them to better connect and compete in the regional economy. Worksystems administers the workforce development programs through a network of service providers. Each program is briefly described below.
Youth Workforce Development
The NextGen program has five youth workforce development providers serving culturally and geographically diverse populations within Portland. The program primarily targets youths ages 16-24 who are disconnected from traditional high school or lacking the basic skills and credentials to enter college or career pathway employment. Each workforce development provider delivers supportive and individually tailored workforce development case management to youth for up to three years. Providers help youth identify and achieve their career goals and develop the life skills necessary to stay on course. The goal is for all participants to secure a career pathway job or progress along a path to complete post-secondary education.
Services to youth include:
- Individual career plan development
- Career exploration
- Work and college readiness training
- Work experience placement and support
- Post-secondary placement, navigation and support
- Job search assistance and placement
- Retention and advancement supports after job or post-secondary placement
In addition, WSI contracts with multiple agencies to provide work experience opportunities that have been co‐developed with WSI through relationships with business and industry.
Additional services through Worksource Portland Metro include:
- Job readiness courses
- Short-term vocational training leading to employer-recognized certificates
- Occupational skills training leading to employer-recognized certificates
- Pre-apprenticeship programs and other targeted sector-based occupational training
- On-the-job training
Youth Workforce Development Providers
Adult Workforce Development
The Economic Opportunity Program has adult workforce development providers that deliver supportive and individually tailored workforce development services. The program targets low-income Portland residents, age 18 and older, who face multiple barriers to employment. Eligible participants have an immediate goal of becoming employed, and engage in coaching, skill development and training in order to achieve career pathway employment. In addition to this system of providers, WSI makes resources, support and training available to EOP participants through Worksource Portland Metro (WSPM). Service length is individually tailored with a typical participant in service for approximately three years.
Services to adults include:
- Individual career plan development
- Individualized vocational case management
- Career exploration
- Work readiness training
- Work experience placement and support
- Job search assistance and placement
- Retention and advancement supports after job placement
Additional services through Worksource Portland Metro include:
- Contextualized, cohort‐based adult education
- Job readiness courses
- Sector-based bridge training
- Short‐term vocational training leading to employer-recognized certificates
- Occupational skills training leading to employer‐recognized certificates
- Pre-apprenticeship programs and other targeted sector-based occupational training
- Internships
- On-the‐job training
- Individualized job placement for certain industries and participants
Adult Workforce Development Providers
Community Workforce Navigator Program
The Community Workforce Navigator Program (“CWNP”) began in 2015 to provide on-demand and community-based workforce development services and ultimately to increase the incomes of low-income residents so they can afford to stay in the neighborhood as housing costs rise due to an increasingly strong market. The target population is underemployed and unemployed residents, low-income residents, people of color, and/or English language learners.
Community workforce navigators provide the following services:
- Individual needs assessment
- Resume review and assistance
- Interview practice
- Job leads/referrals
- Referral to other providers/training
- Navigation to non-workforce resources (e.g., rent assistance, childcare, food services, clothing, etc.)
Community Workforce Navigators
Worksystems Contacts:
- Jesse Aronson jaronson@worksystems.org
- Sean Kelly skelly@worksystems.org
Rapid Workforce Training & Employment Services
for Vulnerable Portlanders
Funded by the American Rescue Plan
Prosper Portland is partnering with Worksystems to provide career training and work opportunities. These services are for Portlanders who are houseless, at risk of eviction or affected by increased violence or crime.
Career training programs are 12 weeks or less. Graduates who complete training are also connected to employment opportunities.
