First, the rapid change in our economy and the new demands it is making on our workforce. Second, the state of the current workforce development system and what the state is doing to improve it. Third, the need for partnerships between government and the private sector and for additional investments in our education system. Let s begin with Oregon s economy. These are good times for some parts of the state.
Incomes are up and unemployment is down in the most populous sections of Oregon.
In fact, the Willamette Valley is experiencing the tightest labor market in decades. Help wanted signs are everywhere in portland, its suburbs, and other cities and towns up and down the I-5 corridor. Some employers even offer bonuses to fill these positions. That s the good news. But there s bad news as well.