Worksystems

05/26/2026

If you were recently laid off from Intel or another high tech company, help is available! Check out these scholarships, training opportunities, and workshops designed to help you find your next opportunity: https://conta.cc/43d4vx8

Want to receive monthly updates in your inbox? Sign up for the newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/BlFSDOk/worksystems

WorkSource Portland

Email from Worksystems Take Charge of Your Career With These Resources and Workshops   Scholarship and Training Support Get One-On-One Guidance Did you know that WorkSource Portland Metro (WSPM) offer

05/21/2026

Thanks to the A Home for Everyone Economic Opportunity Program (AHFE EOP), Zayra discovered her drive to become a medical translator through career coaching services at Latino Network. Through AHFE EOP, she received a scholarship for the Medical Assistant training program at Portland Community College, and got help paying for a computer and books so she could be successful. Zayra is preparing to graduate soon.

AHFE EOP is funded in part by Multnomah County, Oregon. Partnering with Worksystems unlocks federal match, state, and additional local resources, increasing impact. Employment services were not fully funded in the Chair's proposed budget, but Commissioners Julia Brim-Edwards and Shannon Singleton, MSW have come forward with proposed amendments to restore this critical work.

Economic Opportunity Programs (EOP) are designed specifically for people facing the highest barriers to employment, including housing insecurity, justice involvement, language barriers, and recovery challenges. By pairing foundational supports with relationship‑based career coaching and connections to employment, EOP helps people move into steady jobs that pay a living wage.

If you believe in the power of employment programs, let County Commissioners know by submitting written testimony to [email protected]. Your voice matters as County Commissioners prepare to vote on amendments soon!

🎥 Filming and editing by Outside the Frame

05/20/2026

Yesterday, Portland City Council unanimously passed two budget amendments that restore workforce funding in the 2026-27 budget 🎉

Councilor Loretta Smith moved forward an amendment to restore Summerworks youth work experience programming (https://www.youtube.com/live/5186SASrc6I?si=H-s-5gFzvaJ0GYyJ&t=26523) and Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney added back $100,000 to employment programs funded by Prosper Portland (https://www.youtube.com/live/5186SASrc6I?si=o16A5SfCciM3Isjw&t=26046).

We want to thank Councilors Smith and Pirtle-Guiney for their support and commitment to ensuring Portlanders have access to living-wage career pathways that supports local businesses and strengthen our regional economy.

https://www.portland.gov/council/agendaAlternate stream: https://www.opensignalpdx.org/CityNet

05/15/2026

Yesterday evening, Worksystems and partners testified at Multnomah County's second budget hearing, in support of restoring employment services within the Homeless Service Department budget.

Hear Worksystems' Senior Project Manager Jennifer Fox and participants and partners from Our Just Future, Latino Network, Central City Concern, POIC, and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization speak to the real impact of the A Home for Everyone Economic Opportunity Program (AHFE EOP):

https://youtu.be/ktC_X8ntSD4?si=cumPkAJMsHXFgZvk&t=5035

We want to thank Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards who recently proposed an additional budget amendment that would fully restore these critical programs, as well as Commissioners Shannon Singleton, MSW and Vince Jones-Dixon for voicing their support. Restoring employment programs will maintain proven, effective services that advance the County’s housing and economic opportunity goals.

If you would like to see Multnomah County fully fund employment programs, share your voice at https://multco.us/info/fy-2027-chairs-proposed-budget-sign-testify-or-submit-comments.

05/12/2026

📣 RFP Now Open: One Stop Operator

Worksystems is seeking qualified and experienced organizations or individuals to serve as the One-Stop Operator for the WorkSource Portland Metro workforce development system.

The role of the One-Stop Operator is to facilitate partner collaboration and process improvements in service delivery in the Portland Metro workforce system. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires local workforce boards to competitively select a One-Stop Operator at least once every four years.

📅 Proposals are due by noon on June 15, 2026.

Learn more and access RFP materials: https://worksystems.org/rfp-now-open-cctp2026-2/

Questions? Email [email protected].

/*! elementor - v3.22.0 - 26-06-2024 */.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-...

05/08/2026

Yesterday, Councilor Loretta Smith went on the record protecting Summerworks, which provides paid, mentored work experiences that help young people gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed in the workforce. For many participants, this is their first job—and a critical step toward long-term economic mobility.

🎥 https://www.youtube.com/live/aICE7gM3QT4?si=zb1j10Bt0bszo6q6&t=2993

We want to thank Councilor Smith for supporting this critical program and the role workforce development plays in strengthening our community.

You can share your support for Summerworks at https://www.portland.gov/budget/comment-and-testimony.

https://www.portland.gov/council/agendaAlternate stream: https://www.opensignalpdx.org/CityNet

05/08/2026

We’re thrilled to announce the appointment of Miriam Halliday as the next Chief Executive Officer of Worksystems!

Miriam brings a decade of experience leading public workforce systems and deep knowledge of the Portland metro region. She currently serves as CEO of Workforce Southwest Washington, where she helped coordinate a complex, multi-county public workforce system, working closely with employers, labor, education partners, community-based organizations, and elected officials to expand economic opportunity and strengthen regional competitiveness.

“Miriam is an innovative, passionate workforce leader and is the perfect fit to lead Worksystems into the future. We are lucky to have her,” says Andrew McGough, outgoing Executive Director.

Miriam will begin her role on June 22, 2026.

🔗 Read the full announcement:

05/06/2026

Summerworks provides paid work experiences in local businesses for young people ages 16 to 24 across the City of Portland, Multnomah, and Washington counties. For many young people, it's the chance they need to start their career path.

James shared that his work experience at the New Avenues for Youth Ben & Jerry's in downtown Portland helped him feel more secure about his future.

“Working and being valued has given me so much more confidence and motivation to keep going.”

That sense of stability matters—especially for young people who haven’t always had it.

Summerworks creates real opportunities to build skills, connect with mentors, and take meaningful steps toward financial independence. For many, it’s the difference between getting stuck and moving forward.

As local budget conversations continue, it’s critical that we protect and restore investments in youth workforce programs like Summerworks.

📄 Read James’s full story:

05/05/2026

Were you recently laid off and unsure what comes next? Help is available!

WorkSource Portland Metro’s Layoff Transition Assistance team is hosting a free, virtual session 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

🗓 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
🕙 10:00–11:30 AM
📍 Zoom (link provided after registration)
✅ Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZJxQXjdkHT9nTxmLSNNEKqF8D6EYGwyqrHw3EkcStOJYgjg/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...

04/30/2026

Yesterday, Multnomah County held their first budget hearing yesterday. Community Services Manager Deanna Dsouza testified along with participants and partners from Our Just Future, Latino Network, Central City Concern, POIC, and IRCO Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization to highlight the impact of the A Home for Everyone Economic Opportunity Program (AHFE EOP).

https://www.youtube.com/live/FLHor4JqzMI?t=2342s

"AHFE EOP is not just about placing people in jobs. We're connecting them to careers, confidence, and long term self-sufficiency."

We are urging the County to restore and protect funding for employment services. Commissioner Shannon Singleton, MSW has proposed a budget amendment that advances this goal, and we support it. We want to thank Commissioner Singleton as well as Commissioners Vince Jones-Dixon and Julia Brim-Edwards for voicing strong support for employment services that help people move forward with dignity and reduces long‑term reliance on public systems.

1 like. "4.29.26 Budget Hearing #1"