Lane Workforce Partnership

06/01/2026

At last week’s Lane Workforce Partnership Board of Directors meeting, our team welcomed four graduate students from the University of Oregon’s Planning, Public Policy and Management (University of Oregon PPPM) program to present research focused on mapping behavioral health career pathways and certifications.

The presentation, shared in partnership with the University of Oregon Institute for Policy Research and Engagement, explored the current behavioral health workforce landscape and highlighted opportunities to better align education, training, and career pathways to support the growing needs of the sector.

Lane Workforce Partnership appreciates the team of PPPM students for sharing their research and engaging the Board of Directors in an important conversation around strengthening and expanding behavioral health workforce pathways across Oregon.

05/29/2026

More than 50 healthcare professionals, educators, workforce leaders, and economic development partners gathered yesterday for the Lane County Healthcare Sector Partnership Convening, hosted by Lane Community Health Council and Lane County Medical Society with support from Collaborative EDO.

Held at PeaceHealth RiverBend Annex, the convening brought together cross-sector partners committed to strengthening Lane County’s healthcare workforce through collaboration, innovation, and shared solutions. Attendees heard updates and early outcomes from action committees, helped shape next-phase priorities, and explored new opportunities to align education, workforce development, and industry needs.

As healthcare continues to evolve rapidly, the ongoing work of the Lane County Healthcare Sector Partnership demonstrates the power of regional collaboration in addressing workforce challenges and building sustainable pathways for the future of healthcare in Lane County.

05/28/2026

Creativity, construction, culinary arts, and community impact came together yesterday at Everyone Village as Eugene School District 4J students from Creative Current and Future Build unveiled a new mural and walkway project designed to enhance the community space and celebrate the power of hands-on learning.

Made possible through the support of Lane Education Service District, the Eugene Education Foundation, Lane Community College, and Lane Arts Council, the project gave students the opportunity to apply real-world skills while collaborating directly with community partners and residents. Students from South Eugene High School’s South Fork Culinary program also prepared and served lunch for attendees, creating a full-circle experience centered on service, creativity, and connection.

During the celebration, students reflected on the skills they developed throughout the project, from teamwork and design to construction and community engagement. Attendees also heard from local leaders and renowned Eugene muralist Esteban Camacho Steffensen, who designed and mentored the mural project. The event highlighted how collaborative, project-based learning can create meaningful impact both for students and the broader community.

05/27/2026

Local high school students got a firsthand look at careers in wildland firefighting during “Fire School” last week. Students participated in hands-on training activities that introduced them to real-world Wildland Fire Management skills, including safely extinguishing fires, practicing emergency medical response, building fire lines in the forest behind campus, and learning what it takes to work as part of a wildfire response team.

The experience gave students the opportunity to explore high-demand career pathways in public safety, forestry, and natural resources while learning directly from industry professionals and emergency response partners. Events like Fire School help connect classroom learning to meaningful career opportunities and give students valuable exposure to teamwork, leadership, and emergency preparedness skills.

Special thanks to Lane Education Service District, Lane Community College, Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council, Dust Busters Plus LLC, Willamette Ignition Network, Row River Rural Fire Protection District, South Willamette Prescribed Burn Association, and Dayton Fire District for helping create this unique hands-on learning experience for local students.

05/26/2026

🚨 Healthcare leaders, educators, workforce partners, and changemakers, this is your invitation to help shape the future of healthcare in Lane County.
The conversation is no longer “what should we do?”
Action is already happening. 💥
Join us for the next Lane County Healthcare Sector Partnership Convening as cross-sector action committees share early progress, emerging solutions, and opportunities to get involved.
📍 PeaceHealth Riverbend Annex
📅 This THURSDAY May 28
⏰ 8:30–10:30 AM
This professionally facilitated convening is your chance to:
✔ Hear what’s already moving forward
✔ Help shape next-phase workforce priorities
✔ Build stronger partnerships across healthcare, education, workforce, and economic development
✔ Find where YOU can plug in
Healthcare is evolving quickly and Lane County is stepping up together.
Let’s align. Let’s act. Let’s lead.
👉 Register now + invite someone who should be at the table.
https://buytickets.at/collaborativeedo/2115757
🚗 FREE parking available onsite.
Lane Workforce Partnership, Lane County Medical Society, Lane Community Health Council

Lane County Healthcare Sector Partnership Convening – PeaceHealth Riverbend Annex, Thu May 28, 2026 -

05/26/2026

The release of the 2026 Oregon Talent Assessment highlights the growing importance of aligning workforce development, education, and economic development strategies across the state. Commissioned by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and the Workforce and Talent Development Board, the report provides a comprehensive look at Oregon’s evolving workforce landscape and the opportunities ahead to strengthen talent pipelines and connect more Oregonians to quality careers.

Presented during the 2026 Oregon Talent Summit in Salem, the assessment emphasizes that while employment growth may slow over the next decade, demand for workers in many key sectors of Oregon’s economy will remain strong. The report calls for a more connected, collaborative statewide approach to workforce and talent development, aligning closely with the employer-led sector partnership work taking place across communities throughout Oregon.

Read the press release: https://www.oregon.gov/highered/about/Pages/News-Details.aspx?pid=2026-05-26-oregon-talent-assessment

Read the full 2026 Oregon Talent Assessment: https://www.qualityinfo.org/-/2026-oregon-talent-assessment

05/22/2026

This week, members of our staff joined workforce leaders from across the country at the NAWDP - National Association of Workforce Development Professionals 42nd Annual Conference in Phoenix. The conference brought together workforce boards, community colleges, economic development leaders, businesses, and community organizations for three days of learning, collaboration, and innovation focused on the future of workforce development.

Centered around the theme “Rising to the Challenge,” this year’s conference highlighted the resilience and leadership required to navigate today’s evolving workforce landscape. Attendees explored emerging strategies, participated in interactive workshops, and engaged in national conversations around talent development, sector partnerships, economic mobility, and cross-sector collaboration.

Lane Workforce Partnership is grateful for the opportunity to connect with peers and national thought leaders while bringing new ideas, partnerships, and strategies back to Oregon. Conferences like NAWDP continue to reinforce the importance of collaboration, innovation, and employer-led solutions in building strong regional workforce systems.

05/20/2026

We are excited to see the important conversations taking place at the Oregon Talent Summit around aligning economic development, education, and workforce strategy across Oregon. The message shared by leaders reinforces what Collaborative EDO and Lane Workforce Partnership have been building together in Lane County through employer-led sector partnerships.

The 2026 Oregon Talent Assessment’s top recommendation calls for a statewide, cross-sector coordination model. Here in Lane County, that work is already happening through Collaborative EDO serving as Lane Workforce Partnership’s industry engagement arm, helping convene Next Generation Sector Partnerships in healthcare, construction-aggregate, bioscience, technology, transportation, hospitality, and beyond.

As Oregon continues discussions around prosperity, economic competitiveness, and talent development, our team remains committed to ensuring local employers, educators, workforce partners, and community organizations stay aligned around action-driven solutions that strengthen talent pipelines and create opportunity for future generations.

This work matters because strategy alone is not enough. Real impact happens through local ex*****on, industry leadership, and sustained collaboration across systems. Lane County is proud to be part of that effort.

05/19/2026

Nearly 500 high school students and chaperones visited Lane Community College last Friday for the annual Trades Expo, a hands-on event designed to introduce students to high-demand career pathways in the skilled trades and technology sectors.

Hosted by LCC’s Business, Technology, and Trades Division, the event gave students the opportunity to step directly into college labs and shops, connect with instructors, and experience Career Technical Education programs in action. Featured programs included Computer Information Technology, Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, Construction, CNC and Manufacturing, Drafting, Fabrication, and Welding.

Students participated in live demonstrations, explored real-world career opportunities, and learned about next steps after high school from faculty and industry professionals. One of the highlights of the day was a live car-smash demonstration, offering an exciting look into LCC’s automotive and diesel technology programs.

The day began with welcoming remarks from LCC President Stephanie Bulger and reflected the growing momentum around hands-on workforce training and Career Technical Education opportunities across the region.

05/18/2026

The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce and Three Rivers Casino Resort are partnering to bring an important professional development opportunity to the Oregon Coast this summer. 🛡️

On June 23, 2026, local business owners, hospitality professionals, nonprofit leaders, frontline staff, and community organizations are invited to attend a FREE Business Safety Training focused on workplace safety, situational awareness, communication under pressure, and de-escalation strategies.

Hosted at Three Rivers Casino Resort from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the training is designed to provide practical, real-world tools that help teams build confidence, strengthen preparedness, and navigate challenging situations in the workplace.

This collaborative effort reflects a continued investment in supporting local businesses, workforce resilience, and community safety across the Florence region.

RSVP: https://bit.ly/FlorenceSafetyTraining

Florence Oregon Coast