(2) The comprehensive assessment shall include a review of the workforce programs and services administered by the following entities through the public workforce system:
(a) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission;
(b) Local workforce development boards;
(c) The Employment Department;
(d) The Commission for the Blind;
(e) The Department of Human Services;
(f) The Housing and Community Services Department; and
(g) Any other entities deemed appropriate by the committee.
(3) The comprehensive assessment shall be conducted with a focus on:
(a) Advancing racial justice, equity, diversity and inclusion through the programs and services delivered through the public workforce system;
(b) Aligning state and local efforts to improve the public workforce system in this state;
(c) Supporting improvements that create a more comprehensive public workforce system;
(d) Providing quality employment experiences and equitable outcomes for job seekers and businesses participating in workforce programs;
(e) Improving the quality of workforce resources, programs and services made available through the public workforce system and the transparency of information regarding performance metrics and outcomes related to those resources, programs and services; and
(f) Building on any current workforce program assessments that are required by law.
(4)(a) The committee shall present the results of each assessment, along with any recommendations for improvements, in reports to the Governor and to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to workforce development, in the manner provided under ORS 192.245, on or before December 15 of each even-numbered year.
(b) The committee shall include in the committee’s first report, an update regarding the implementation of the recommendations from the assessment of the public workforce system conducted under section 3, chapter 280, Oregon Laws 2021. [2021 c.280 §4]
Note: Sections 1 and 3, chapter 280, Oregon Laws 2021, provide:
Sec. 1. Sections 2 to 4 of this 2021 Act are added to and made a part of ORS 660.300 to 660.364. [2021 c.280 §1]
Sec. 3. Workforce assessment to address needs of individuals and businesses most impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. (1) No later than September 30, 2021, the Committee for Continuous Improvement, established under section 2 of this 2021 Act [660.347], shall identify and contract with an independent third-party entity to conduct an assessment of the public workforce system in this state and to develop recommendations to ensure that the needs of individuals and businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are prioritized and effectively served by the public workforce system.
(2) To develop the recommendations described in subsection (1) of this section, the assessment shall:
(a) Incorporate input from interested stakeholders including, but not limited to individuals who represent:
(A) Community-based organizations with a focus and expertise on serving disenfranchised communities.
(B) Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
(C) Individuals with differing abilities.
(D) Women.
(E) Immigrants.
(F) Rural communities.
(G) Low-skilled adults.
(H) Younger workers.
(I) State agencies.
(J) Labor organizations.
(K) Education providers.
(L) Apprenticeship and preapprenticeship organizations.
(M) Local businesses.
(b) Focus on:
(A) Identifying and eliminating barriers that impede access to workforce programs and services by individuals and businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
(B) Improving employment experiences and access to workforce programs for job seekers in disenfranchised communities.
(C) Improving alignment between state agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide culturally specific and wraparound services.
(3) Upon completion of the assessment described in this section, the committee shall submit to the State Workforce and Talent Development Board a report that includes the results of the assessment and the recommendations developed by the third-party entity under subsection (2) of this section. Not later than 45 days after receiving the report, the board shall approve the report and submit a copy of the report to the Governor and the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to workforce development, in the manner provided in ORS 192.245. [2021 c.280 §3]