The Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative

The Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (CWWC) is a partnership between the Clackamas Workforce Partnership, the Workforce Southwest Washington (Clark/Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Counties), and Worksystems, Inc. (Multnomah/Washington Counties). Together, the Collaborative aligns capabilities and resources to improve the region’s ability to leverage and layer funding streams, to coordinate ideas and strategies, to pursue resources and fill gaps, to link workforce supply and industry demand, and enable life-long learning and advancement. The CWWC has selected Manufacturing, Healthcare, Technology and Construction as their sectors of focus.

Sector Strategies

The Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative is a partnership that delivers a unified approach to serve industry, support economic development, and guide public workforce investments in the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan area. We work with industry to create "sector strategies" to identify and remove barriers that stand in the way of cultivating and sustaining a skilled workforce in the sectors of Manufacturing, Healthcare, Technology and Construction. For more information about our sector strategies, please contact Amy Oakley at [email protected] or call 503-657-6644.

Workforce Plans

Under the guidance of local companies, we developed these three-point plans to address workforce challenges in the sectors of Manufacturing, Healthcare, Technology and Construction.

Three Identified Goals for the Manufacturing Industry.

Make Manufacturing a Career Choice for the Emerging Workforce.
Connect Manufacturers to the Right Candidates Now (Recruitment & Training).
Strengthen the Manufacturing Industry.

Click here to link to the Manufacturing Workforce Plan

Three Identified Goals for the Healthcare Industry.

Recruit and Retain Healthcare Professionals.
Build a Healthcare Pipeline through Employer and Education Partnerships.
Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Healthcare.

Click here to link to the Healthcare Workforce Plan.

Three Identified Goals for the Tech Industry.

Attract and Cultivate more Local, Under-represented candidates in order to increase numbers and levels of diversity.
Develop Tools and Resources to Increase Access to Information and Training to Help Under-represented Populations Pursue Careers in Tech.
Develop and Share Working Models to Increase Hiring, Retention, and Advancement of Women and People of Color.

Click here to link to the TechTown PDX Talent Strategy Plan

Three Identified Goals for the Construction Industry.

Connect Youth to Jobs and Training Opportunities in Construction.
Advance Equity and Diversity in the Construction Industry.
Improve Retention of Existing Apprenticeships and Workers.

Click here to link to the Construction Workforce Plan

State of the Workforce & Industry Reports

Clackamas Workforce Partnership together the Collaborative partners Worksystems and Workforce Southwest Washington has released the 2016 the State of the Workforce Report. The report examines the “state of the workforce” within the greater Portland-Vancouver region and aims to understand the balance between workforce supply and industry demand. The report provides critical information about the quality of the workforce, available and projected jobs, and describes some of the challenges and opportunities facing our region. Information in the report will be used to help us better ensure our workforce development efforts are effectively aligned with the needs of the regional economy, shape policy, consider investments and implement strategies to improve the quality of the regional workforce.