Oregon’s unemployment rate rose from 4.1% in August 2024 to 5.4% in August 2025— the highest rate since mid-2021. This represents approximately 54,000 Oregonians—11,000 more than a year ago. With conditions likely to tighten before they improve, system readiness and rapid response are more important than ever.

When more than 2,500 Intel employees were recently impacted by layoffs, Worksystems and our regional partners mobilized quickly—offering transition services and hosting a Job & Resource Career Expo to connect people with new opportunities.

The Job & Resource Career Expo is a powerful reminder of what happens when our public workforce system comes together to support dislocated workers, bringing together:

💼 1,300+ jobseekers ready to take their next step
🤝 50+ employers recruiting for nearly 2,000 open positions
🌟 18 community resource organizations offering vital support
📚 7 workshops and panels on career change, entrepreneurship, AI, and more
📝 Resume reviews and free headshots to help jobseekers show up with confidence

Beyond the numbers, we heard stories of jobseekers making new connections, gaining confidence, and finding opportunities that could change their lives.

“I had given up on job fairs after the last few I went to, but this one was great! There were so many businesses, other resources, and workshops. I really got a lot out of this.”
– Jobseeker

“Yesterday was a day of connection, curiosity, and clarity … it’s not just about the opportunities we seek, but the people and communities that shape us along the way.”
– Lasya Priya Konduru, Read her full post on LinkedIn

“The expo was a fantastic opportunity to connect face-to-face with job seekers who might never have heard of us otherwise. We met great candidates and opened doors for people discovering careers they hadn’t considered before.”
– Employer Feedback

This is collaboration in action—the strength of employers, community partners, and workforce and economic development professionals working together to create pathways to opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the Expo a success, including Washington County, the City of Hillsboro, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, WorkSource Portland Metro, and other Local Workforce Development Boards. The collective energy and care in the room made all the difference.