More than 80,000 people accessed WorkSource Portland Metro services as the region faces layoffs, rising unemployment, and changing industry needs. 

PORTLAND, Ore. — Worksystems released its 2025-26 Annual Report, highlighting growing demand for workforce services and regional efforts to help people navigate layoffs, access quality jobs, build economic stability, and prepare for careers in changing industries.

“This year marks both a transition for Worksystems and an important moment for our region,” said Miriam Halliday, CEO of Worksystems. “I arrive at a time when our work has rarely been more important.” Halliday began her role as CEO in June 2026.

WorkSource Portland Metro (WSPM), the region’s primary gateway for public employment services, served 80,878 people between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, a 27.3% increase over the previous year. The increase reflects growing demand from people experiencing layoffs, career transitions, and economic uncertainty.

Worksystems plays an important role in the WSPM system by coordinating services, investing funds, and designing programs that bridge job seeker skill-building with regional business needs. The majority of Worksystems-funded programs provide deeper support to those in our community who need it most.

Worksystems invested more than $22.7 million in community-focused workforce services during the 2025-26 program year, representing more than three-quarters of its annual expenditures. These programs, delivered by a network of aligned community-based organizations and partners, help residents access training, secure employment, increase their income, and achieve greater housing stability, while helping local employers meet their talent needs.

“Our strength is not any single program or funding source,” Halliday said. “It is our ability to connect the pieces into a system that responds to what our region needs.”

Connecting employment and housing stability

Halliday added, “Employment is one of the most powerful tools we have to address larger regional challenges, from homelessness and housing instability to economic mobility and business competitiveness.”

The annual report highlights the impact of programs in the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and Washington County that connect housing and employment services.

The Economic Opportunity Program (EOP) offers community-based career coaching and employment programs designed for individuals facing the greatest barriers: low-income residents, people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and those with prior justice involvement. EOP pairs long-term, relationship-driven career coaching with job readiness support, training, and direct connections to jobs.

More than 80% of EOP participants exited with jobs that improved their housing stability through employment income, earning an average wage of more than $23 per hour. Stable employment is one of the strongest predictors of long-term housing retention, which reduces reliance on public assistance.

Responding to layoffs and rising unemployment

During the year, Worksystems led the regional response to major layoffs and increasing unemployment. Worksystems and its partners coordinated 12 general and 53 employer-specific WorkSource Portland Metro Layoff Transition Sessions, reaching more than 900 workers. These sessions connected affected workers to unemployment insurance, job search and training opportunities, health coverage options, and free community services.

In addition, Worksystems organized two events—one in Washington County and one in East Multnomah County—bringing together a wide range of organizations committed to helping people successfully transition between jobs. The Washington County Job & Resource Career Expo connected more than 1,300 job seekers with over 50 employers recruiting for nearly 2,000 openings.

That work continues thanks in part to a $2 million U.S. Department of Labor National Dislocated Worker Grant to support workers affected by high-tech layoffs.

Expanding career opportunities for young people

Worksystems connects young people to career coaching, skill development, paid work experiences, and early exposure to career pathways. Across all youth programs, 41% of participants identified as members of historically underserved communities.

One of those programs is NextGen, a community-based career coaching program that supports disconnected youth ages 16 to 24—those navigating homelessness, foster care, the justice system, or disabilities. Through coaching, training coordination, and barrier removal, NextGen helps youth move toward stability and employment.

More than 600 young people were served through NextGen, and employed Portland youth exiting the program increased their average hourly wage by more than 30%.

Worksystems also operates Learn and Earn, SummerWorks, and PDX Youth@Work which provide hands-on paid learning and work experiences for young people to build new skills and gain real-world experiences. From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, youth in our community earned nearly $1.48 million in wages and stipends through these work-based programs.

Adapting workforce strategies as industries change

As employers faced talent shortages, technological change, and economic uncertainty, Worksystems worked with businesses, educators, labor partners, and community organizations to strengthen workforce pipelines in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, construction, early learning, and healthcare and social assistance.

During the year, Worksystems engaged more than 250 employers and industry partners to identify workforce needs, develop career pathways, expand training opportunities, and connect residents to quality jobs in high-demand fields.

Highlights include supporting dislocated high tech workers while maintaining strong training pipelines; expanding clean energy and mass timber career pathways; investing in construction workforce development and retention; growing early learning workforce initiatives through Preschool for All; and launching new behavioral health career pathways.

Looking Ahead

The report comes at a time when demand for workforce services is increasing while workforce funding faces continued uncertainty.

“Funding declines and perceived scarcity can create lines of territory and separation at exactly the moment our region needs greater coordination,” Halliday stated. “Our commitment to investing in community remains firm.”

Looking ahead, Worksystems will continue to focus on strengthening coordination across the public workforce system, aligning workforce and economic development strategies, and protecting investments that help both workers and businesses succeed.

“There is important work ahead,” Halliday said. “Let’s make it happen.”

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Release Date: October 6, 2026
End Date: December 31, 2026

Media Contact: Rachael Brown (she/her)
Worksystems Communications Manager
[email protected] | 503-478-7361

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About Worksystems

Worksystems, the Portland Metro Workforce Development Board, is designated by the Governor in partnership with local elected leaders to invest, coordinate, and manage resources to improve the quality of the workforce in the City of Portland, Multnomah and Washington counties. Their mission is to coordinate a regional workforce system that supports individual prosperity and business competitiveness.

Through partnerships with employers, educational institutions, community organizations, labor groups, economic development, and government agencies, Worksystems helps connect people to training, employment, and career advancement opportunities while helping businesses find and retain talent.

Visit worksystems.org to learn more.