Worksystems

06/23/2026

One of the ways our partners at Portland Community College are supporting high tech workers looking for their next opportunity is through "Meet the Employer" events—a virtual hands-on workshop that brings job seekers face-to-face with hiring employers.

Next up: AGC Heat Transfer, Inc.
📅 June 24, 2026, 3-4pm
➡️ Register here: https://portlandcc.zoom.us/meeting/register/BJs3jSrTQwyRoD7RsF77Gg #/registration

You’ll hear directly from company representatives about what they do, what it’s like to work there, and current or upcoming job opportunities. You’ll also learn what employers look for in candidates and how their hiring process works. The workshop includes time to network, ask questions, and make connections that could lead to future career opportunities.

WorkSource Portland

Meet the Employer is an interactive workshop that brings job seekers face-to-face with hiring employers. Representatives from various companies present overviews of their organizations, including their mission, workplace culture, and current or upcoming job opportunities. Participants gain insight i...

06/18/2026

As local governments across our region finalize their budgets, many are recognizing the role workforce programs play in helping low-income residents build long-term stability through living wage employment.

These outcomes follow months of coordinated advocacy from staff, partners, employers, and participants who shared a consistent message: Employment programs are foundational to housing stability, economic mobility, and community well‑being.

We’re grateful to everyone who showed up to testify, share their stories, and advocate for continued investment in workforce programs across our region.

We also want to thank the Portland City Councilors Loretta Smith and Elana Pirtle-Guiney and Multnomah County Commissioners Vince Jones-Dixon, Shannon Singleton, MSW, and Julia Brim-Edwards for their leadership and support of these investments. We appreciate the time, care, and collaboration that went into these decisions.

➡️ Local Workforce Funding Update:

06/18/2026

✨Reflecting on a Career of Service ✨

As Worksystems prepares for a leadership transition, we invite you to listen to a thoughtful conversation with Executive Director Andrew McGough, who will retire this month after more than two decades leading the organization.

In this episode of the Oregon Workforce Partnership's Working Together podcast, Andrew reflects on his career in workforce development, the partnerships that shaped the region’s workforce system, and the opportunities ahead—from evolving policies to the growing impact of AI.

It’s both a look back at the work that built today’s system and a forward‑looking conversation about what comes next.

🎙️ Listen here: oregonworkforcepartnership.org/podcast/

06/17/2026

Worksystems, along with career coaches from our partners at POIC, Latino Network, and Central City Concern attended Multnomah County, Oregon's Homeless Services Department Provider Conference today at PSU.

The conference brings providers together to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and improve how we support people experiencing homelessness. Sessions focused on real-world strategies, coordination across systems, and responding to emerging needs in our community.

For Worksystems, this work is closely connected to the A Home for Everyone Economic Opportunity Program (AHFE EOP). Employment services are a key part of the region’s homelessness response, helping people overcome barriers so they can build stability and access living-wage jobs.

➡️ Learn more about AHFE EOP at https://worksystems.org/economic-opportunity-program/.

We appreciate the opportunity to learn, connect, and bring back insights that strengthen the support we offer to people across the region.

06/16/2026

Were you recently laid off and unsure what comes next? Come to this free, virtual session designed to support jobseekers navigating their next steps, including:

1. How to apply for Unemployment Insurance
2. Employment and training opportunities
3. Options for health coverage through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace
4. Community resources and free services at WorkSource Portland Metro

Hosted by WorkSource Portland Metro’s Layoff Transition Assistance Team

🗓 Monday, June 22, 2026
🕙 1-2:30 PM
📍 Zoom (link provided after registration)
✅ Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDjZnPa5vLarTfj09313xMp0iAj1ve01rcYLBoFmmrgGFtMQ/viewform

The WorkSource Portland Metro (WSPM) Layoff Transition Assistance team is offering a FREE information session for workers recently laid off in the Portland metro area. You will learn about: 🔹 Unemployment Insurance enrollment 🔹 Job search and training opportunities 🔹 Health coverage options...

06/11/2026

After taking time to care for her young son, Lucia was ready to return to work—but finding the right opportunity wasn’t easy. That's when a friend told her about West Side Works.

Through the program, she gained hands‑on experience, built new skills, and found the flexibility she needed. Today, she’s working at a Beaverton preschool and building a career she’s proud of.

Lucia’s success is made possible by support from City of Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, who is committed to expanding access to quality jobs and ensuring childcare is available and accessible for working families. With support from the Mayor, the United States Conference of Mayors paid for Lucia’s internship.

West Side Works is a collaboration between Worksystems, Washington County, Oregon, the Beaverton City Government, and Portland Community College. It creates opportunity on both sides of the workforce equation, placing low-income residents into paid internships in preschool centers, helping jobseekers launch meaningful careers and preschools address critical staffing shortages.

06/11/2026

Did you know that WorkSource Portland Metro (WSPM) offers funding for short-term, high-impact training programs that lead to in-demand jobs across technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and more? Whether you want to build new technical skills, earn a certification, or move into a growing field, the folks at WSPM can help you choose a path that fits your goals and connect you to the funding to make it happen.

Don't just take it from us. After being laid off from Intel in fall 2024, Manasa kept hitting the same barrier: leadership roles required a PMP certification. She connected with WSPM, where staff helped her enroll in a PMP bootcamp at no cost to her. She then secured a new Engineering Project Coordinator role earning $41/hour with benefits.

“𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩.”

This is a strong example of how targeted training, combined with coaching and persistence, can help dislocated workers re-enter the workforce at a high level.

➡️ If you were laid off from Intel and would like someone to reach out to you to discuss training or other resources, WSPM is here to help:

If you were affected by the recent Intel layoffs and are interested in speaking with a staff member about training opportunities, support services or other resources available through our grant to support your reemployment goals, please complete the form below.

06/10/2026

Thanks to a grant from the United States Conference of Mayors, an additional early learning work experience was made possible through West Side Works. These paid internships help residents gain hands‑on experience, build skills, and move toward long‑term careers in childcare—while helping preschool providers fill staffing shortages.

Huge shout-out to City of Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, whose commitment to keeping childcare capacity aligned with growing demand is a key driver of this program’s success.

We’re grateful to the United States Conference of Mayors for investing in early learning and the workforce that makes it possible.

West Side Works is a collaboration between Worksystems, Washington County, Oregon, the Beaverton City Government, and Portland Community College. It creates opportunity on both sides of the workforce equation, placing low-income residents into paid internships in preschool centers, helping jobseekers launch meaningful careers and preschools address critical staffing shortages.

06/09/2026

Last week, Board members, staff, partners, colleagues, and friends gathered to celebrate Andrew McGough and his remarkable career at Worksystems.

After more than two decades of leadership, Andrew leaves behind a workforce system that is stronger, more connected, and more responsive to the needs of our region.

The evening was filled with stories, reflection, and gratitude from people who have worked alongside Andrew over the years. We were reminded just how much of this work is built on relationships, trust, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity.

Thank you, Andrew, for your decades of service and impact. We wish you all the best in this next chapter!

📷 by Tim Newman Photography