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State workforce board says early childhood is strategic for Oregon’s economy
Summary
Sherry Dunn, chair of the Workforce and Talent Development Board, told the council the board prioritizes early learning as a strategic workforce sector, urging credentialing, equity‑centered pipelines, and local sector partnerships to address a 22% drop in capacity and widespread infant/toddler shortages.
Sherry Dunn, chair of the Oregon Workforce and Talent Development Board, told the council the board sees early childhood care as “strategic for our economic infrastructure” and is embedding the sector in state workforce strategy under WIOA. Dunn said the board prioritizes equity, career pathways and credentialing to move the system beyond simply filling vacancies.
She called attention to recent data and trends: COVID fallout led to a 22% drop in childcare capacity, and “all Oregon counties are infant toddler childcare deserts to some extent,” she said. Dunn and council members discussed addressing compensation, credential transferability, and local sector partnerships as the main levers to rebuild the workforce.
