How to Build the Workforce of the Future
Through partnerships with employers and community organizations, SummerWorks creates paid opportunities for young people to gain experience, make connections, and take steps toward their future careers.
A new article from the City of Portland highlights how SummerWorks connects young people with paid work experiences that help them build skills, confidence, and professional networks while supporting local employers.
The story follows two Portland Community College students who spent the summer interning with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful projects. It also highlights the important role employers and mentors play in helping young people explore careers and develop job-ready skills.
Their stories are part of a much larger regional effort. In summer 2026 alone, SummerWorks sponsored more than 230 interns at nearly 120 worksites. Together, interns worked 22,000 hours and earned $380,000 in wages, thanks in part to funding from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and TriMet.
