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HEC presents workforce systems overview and outlines policy changes in House Bill 3,029
Summary
HEC staff and Future Ready Oregon directors briefed the committee on Oregon’s public workforce system and introduced House Bill 3,029, which seeks to codify lessons from Future Ready Oregon, expand definitions of priority populations, improve alignment across state and local workforce entities and strengthen youth workforce programs.
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission provided an informational briefing on Oregon’s public workforce system and then introduced House Bill 3,029, legislation that would codify lessons from the Future Ready Oregon initiative and adjust workforce governance, alignment and grantmaking.
Julia Steinberger, director of the HEC Office of Workforce Investments, outlined how the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) structures the public workforce system and described WorkSource Oregon, local workforce development boards and the governance role of the Oregon Workforce and Talent Development Board. Steinberger said HEC houses and staffs the state workforce board and administers many WIOA Title 1 formula grants and other workforce grants including Future Ready Oregon workforce‑focused grants.
Jennifer Purcell, director for Future Ready Oregon at HEC, summarized House Bill 3,029 and proposed amendments: the bill would expand the definition of priority populations to include immigrant and refugee communities, continue and set grant criteria for programs such as Prosperity 10,000, strengthen youth workforce programs at HEC (including Oregon Youth Corps and Oregon Conservation Corps pathways), and define criteria in statute for identifying "critical workforce shortages and strategic workforce opportunities." Purcell said the bill clarifies roles among HEC, the state workforce board, sector consortia and local workforce boards and would further align state and local priorities while preserving local boards’ ability to address regional needs.
Purcell noted that Future Ready Oregon was a one‑time 2022 investment and that its funds have been largely obligated; HB 3,029 codifies practices and improves statutory alignment but carries no immediate fiscal impact in the packet presented to the committee. Committee members expressed interest in learning more and the chair said the committee may schedule a follow‑up public hearing to continue discussion.
