Oregon 2024 Talent Assessment (2024)

The "Oregon 2024 Talent Assessment" report by SRI International, commissioned by the Workforce Talent Development Board and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the State of Oregon, provides an extensive analysis of the state’s workforce landscape. The report identifies key industry clusters, essential occupations, and highlights the challenges and opportunities in aligning educational programs with industry needs to support economic growth and workforce development.

Main Takeaways:

  • Economic and Workforce Landscape:

    • Economic Recovery: Oregon’s economy is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic with a steady increase in GDP. Labor shortages, which were prevalent during the pandemic, are now easing.
    • R&D Investment: The state’s investment in business-performed R&D is higher than the national average, driven primarily by the information technology sector. This investment is crucial for fostering innovation and economic growth.

  • Key Industry Clusters and Occupations:

    • Health Sciences:
      • Growth and Challenges: This sector shows significant wage and employment growth, but licensure processes are cumbersome, and there are notable racial and gender disparities.
      • Occupational Demand: High demand for healthcare professionals, including nurses and technicians, but challenges in meeting licensure requirements slow workforce entry.
    • Information Technology & Analytical Instruments:
      • Technological Innovation: Rapid advancements lead to frequent knowledge gaps. There are opportunities for career progression, but continuous learning is essential.
      • Skill Gaps: Employers report a lack of adequately trained professionals in areas such as cybersecurity and software development.
    • Construction:
      • Projected Growth: Significant employment growth is anticipated, but there is a mismatch between the skills taught in educational programs and those needed by the industry.
      • Training Needs: Emphasis on apprenticeships and vocational training to better align with industry demands.
    • Wood Products Manufacturing:
      • Evolution of Industry: Transitioning towards more technology-intensive processes requiring advanced skills. Current educational programs are not fully aligned with these evolving needs.
      • Employment Trends: Stable but slow employment growth; focus on modernizing training programs to meet industry requirements.
    • Childcare:
      • Workforce Characteristics: Predominantly female workforce facing low wages and limited career advancement opportunities.
      • Support Needs: Need for better compensation and career pathways to attract and retain qualified childcare providers.
    • Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers:
      • Labor Shortages: Significant shortages exist, exacerbated by an aging workforce and high turnover rates.
      • Training Programs: Advocacy for more formal training and certification programs to address shortages.

  • Challenges and Evolutions:

    • Licensure and Credentialing: Stringent and burdensome licensure requirements, particularly in health sciences, create barriers to entry into the workforce.
    • Educational Alignment: Misalignment between educational programs and industry needs is a critical issue, especially in rural areas. Specific industries such as construction and wood products manufacturing require updated training curricula.
    • Workforce Programs Awareness: Many employers are unaware of existing workforce support programs, limiting the utilization and effectiveness of these programs.

  • Employer Perspectives:

    • Labor Shortages: Larger businesses and the health sciences sector report more severe labor shortages. Smaller businesses face fewer issues but still experience challenges in finding skilled workers.
    • Hiring Challenges: The primary barriers to hiring include a lack of technical skills, relevant work experience, and inadequate soft skills among candidates.
    • Workforce Alignment: Businesses report varying degrees of alignment between workforce programs and their needs. Suburban businesses experience the highest levels of misalignment, indicating a need for tailored support.

  • Recommendations:

    • Align and Strengthen Workforce Ecosystem: Improve collaboration among educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and workforce development agencies to create a cohesive and responsive workforce development ecosystem.
    • Increase Access and Equity: Enhance access to workforce development programs, ensuring equitable opportunities for all Oregonians, particularly underrepresented groups.
    • Support Target Industries and Occupations: Focus on developing career pathways, worker attraction, and retention initiatives for key industries and occupations. This includes addressing specific needs in health sciences, IT, construction, and other critical sectors.
    • Promote Lifelong Learning: Encourage continuous education and skill development to keep pace with technological advancements and evolving industry needs.
    • Enhance Awareness of Workforce Programs: Increase awareness and utilization of workforce support programs among employers to better address labor shortages and skill gaps.
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