Worksystems Awarded $2 Million National Dislocated Worker Grant to Support Laid-Off High-Tech Workers in Oregon

Portland, OR — January 13, 2026 — Worksystems, the workforce development board for the Portland metro area, is proud to announce it has been awarded a $2 million National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) from the U.S. Department of Labor. This critical funding will support workers affected by recent layoffs in the high-tech sector—including Intel—providing a lifeline to hundreds of skilled professionals and their families across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

The NDWG will enable Worksystems to lead a coordinated regional response. They will work in partnership with four other local workforce boards (Clackamas Workforce Partnership, Northwest Oregon Works, Willamette Workforce Partnership, and Workforce SW Washington), state agencies, city and county officials, higher education partners, chambers of commerce, and community organizations. The initiative will offer a comprehensive suite of employment and training services including:

• Occupational skills training, on-the-job training, and paid work experience
• Small business development support
• Job and resource career expos
• Paid peer support staff (drawn from the affected worker pool) to facilitate outreach, networking, and access to grant resources

Services will be delivered virtually and in person. Participants will also have access to help with supplies, transportation, childcare, and other essential needs while they are engaged in training or job search activities.

While the grant can serve any dislocated worker in the region, programs will be developed with ex-Intel and other high-tech workers in mind. Most affected roles include technicians, engineers, developers, AI and cloud computing specialists, and mid-level managers—talent that is vital to the region's innovation economy.

Keeping Talent Local, Advancing Oregon's Prosperity

The impact of Intel's layoffs—more than 3,000 workers in Washington County alone—has been profound, with ripple effects across surrounding areas. "This funding will bolster ongoing efforts to keep workers in Washington County, strengthen local businesses, and provide a path forward for all community members," said Washington County Commissioner Pam Treece, who also serves on the Worksystems Board. "We are committed to ensuring that highly skilled workers can stay in our region and continue to contribute to our local economy. By investing in our workforce, we are investing in the future of Oregon."

Synergy with Governor Kotek's Prosperity Roadmap

These grant activities also align with the strategic goals outlined in Governor Tina Kotek's Prosperity Roadmap, which calls for accelerating economic growth, creating more living-wage jobs, and retaining and growing Oregon businesses. By helping dislocated workers quickly reconnect to quality jobs or launch new ventures, Worksystems is advancing the state's vision for a dynamic, resilient, and inclusive economy.

How to Get Involved

Workers recently laid off from Intel or other high-tech employers are encouraged to sign up to receive email alerts about upcoming opportunities, workshops, and events: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/BlFSDOk/worksystems

Release Date: January 13, 2026
End Date: February 28, 2026
Media Contact: Rachael Brown (she/her),Worksystems Communications Manager
[email protected], 503-459-1565