Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Industry

The Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (CWWC) is a partnership between the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan region’s three workforce development boards – Workforce Southwest Washington, Clackamas Workforce Partnership, and Worksystems. Its purpose is to deliver a unified approach to serve industry, support economic development, and guide public workforce investments in the region.
 
The Collaborative 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, Construction, Early Care & Education, and Healthcare. Under the guidance of local companies, we have three goals for the sector to advance the manufacturing workforce in the region.

Cascadia Manufacturing Network

The Cascadia Manufacturing Network (CMN), formerly known as the Columbia-Willamette Manufacturing Partnership, is a coalition of industry leaders dedicated to finding and pursuing opportunities for the manufacturing sector in the Portland and Southwest Washington metro area. The group is united in its commitment to tackling industry challenges and turning opportunities into positive outcomes. Through collaboration, advocacy, and innovation, they aim to strengthen manufacturing careers, businesses, and the broader industry.

Identified Manufacturing Goals

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

 

Manufacturing Sector Report

Advanced manufacturing integrates innovative technologies and cutting-edge processes to enhance efficiency, productivity, and quality in manufacturing. The Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (CWWC) is well-positioned to support the advanced manufacturing sector in the Portland-Southwest Washington metropolitan area. 

This sector encompasses key components such as automation, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and additive manufacturing, which are transforming the workforce and driving economic growth. By aligning workforce development efforts with the demands of advanced manufacturing, the CWWC can help local businesses adopt new technologies, upskill workers, and foster innovation, ultimately contributing to the region’s industrial competitiveness and economic advantage.

Click here to review our newly release 2025 Advanced Manufacturing Sector Report

For more information, please contact CWP staff at info@clackamasworkforce.org

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