Interested in serving on the Willamette Workforce Partnership Board of Directors? There are current openings, for private sector members. Please visit the WWP website before January 15^th to complete an Interest Form:

Oregon Workforce Partnership’s (OWP’s) 2023 WORKing Together Conference, held on November 7-8, 2023, in Bend, Oregon, brought together over 500 professionals and experts from across Oregon, all dedicated to the advancement of the state’s workforce. This year’s conference was a resounding success, featuring a diverse range of sessions and keynote speakers that delved into crucial topics impacting Oregon’s workforce landscape.

Kim Parker-Llerenas, Willamette Workforce Partnership’s (WWP’s) Executive Director, and OWP’s Chair, presented a compelling success story about one Future Ready Oregon, Prosperity 10,000 grant recipient.

In the Spring of 2022, WWP received a unique request for funding, one like never before. After the scoring process was complete, WWP entered into an agreement with Salem for Refugees to pay for flying lessons for a group of individuals who were ‘new neighbors’ in the Salem area. This group had been pilots in Afghanistan during the war and had flown alongside US troops. They knew how to fly, and they knew how to speak English. However, they did not have the required licensure to fly in the US. WWP was honored to fund this critical training so they could once again be pilots in their new country. The funding was provided by Future Ready Oregon, Prosperity 10,000, a statewide $2,000,000 investment in workforce development.

Willamette Workforce Partnership (WWP) is pleased to announce the awarding of a Careers Pathways grant from The PGE Foundation, the corporate foundation of Portland General Electric, to help support entrepreneurship and small, local businesses at farmer’s markets in Salem, Oregon.

Through this grant, ten minority-owned businesses will have the opportunity to attend a small business learning program, Farm to eShop, which will focus on equipping businesses with new skills and knowledge of e-commerce. The program will provide resources, continued education, and top-tier technical assistance from local business experts who will offer strategic business guidance and mentorship to help them expand their business online and grow within e-commerce.

“This new grant-making focus reflects community feedback on the critical need to address common barriers to economic mobility and generational wealth-building that have disproportionately affected communities of color, lower-income households and people living in rural areas in our state,” said Melissa Dubois Lewis, program officer, PGE Foundation.

Businesses participating in this workshop will have the chance to connect and build their network with fellow entrepreneurs in the region while developing an implementation plan to launch their e-commerce shop just in time for the upcoming farmer’s market season in early 2024.

To support businesses through this transitional period, they will receive access to an e-learning platform, curated resources, and financial support as they learn innovative practices to grow their businesses. The goal is to empower these businesses to develop their digital brand, gain invaluable resources, and access mentorship for sustainable growth, giving them the tools to succeed.

Businesses will have the opportunity to apply for this workshop in early December.