(a) A robust and effective workforce system is necessary to produce a highly skilled workforce, to advance more Oregonians into family wage jobs and to help Oregon businesses compete in a global economy.
(b) Oregon’s economy is strongest when all workers are self-sufficient and all businesses can find the talented workforce they need to grow.
(2) The Legislative Assembly declares that:
(a) It will be beneficial to consolidate state-level coordination, employer engagement and oversight responsibilities within the State Workforce and Talent Development Board and to align state investments in workforce development, economic development and education to meet the needs of identified key industries in this state.
(b) It is the policy of this state to promote the coordinated provision of education, employment, economic development and job training to:
(A) Develop a workforce system that is flexible, accountable, outcome-focused and data-driven;
(B) Meet the needs of employers for skilled, committed and innovative employees;
(C) Deliver an effective, efficient, highly integrated and responsive workforce system;
(D) Offer services;
(E) Ensure equity in program access, services and outcomes for populations that have historically experienced high levels of unemployment, underemployment and poverty;
(F) Provide greater economic security and grow a more inclusive and dynamic economy;
(G) Support the economic health of local communities throughout this state with workforce solutions that meet community needs and advance the prosperity of Oregonians and Oregon-based businesses;
(H) Build on the WorkSource Oregon network of state workforce agencies, local workforce development boards, public and private secondary and post-secondary institutions of education and other public and private partners to deliver a comprehensive, robust and outcome-oriented array of services to unemployed and underemployed individuals and to businesses seeking employees;
(I) Support the achievement of Oregon’s 40-40-20 goal in conjunction with the education system and private industry to ensure that more Oregonians may access opportunities to gain skills and earn credentials to support their employment goals; and
(J) Support the continuing economic health of the maritime sector in Oregon and provide opportunities for Oregonians to acquire family wage jobs in the maritime sector. [2014 c.49 §1; 2017 c.185 §24; 2017 c.297 §2; 2017 c.738 §2]