In 2018, Oregon Governor Kate Brown released her policy agenda for Future Ready Oregon, with the vision to “Close the skills gap for Oregon’s students and adults by providing the skills and job training they need to obtain good, family-wage jobs.”
“Beyond continuing and boosting economic performance, Oregon needs education and training that elevates the role of outdoor recreation in every county by creating well-trained, motivated people capable of a) managing and protecting resources, and b) designing and delivering services and goods that encourage participation. Economic sustainability is an important measurement of success; there are additional measures related to well-being and community livability.”
- Scott Bricker, Product Development Director at Travel Oregon
Oregon’s economy is booming, but not every Oregon family feels this success, particularly in rural parts of the state. The gap between the skills Oregonians have and what growing businesses need is holding Oregonians – and our economy – back.
The Governor’s Future Ready Oregon policy agenda lays out pathways to: a) ensure every Oregon student graduates high school with a plan for their future, and b) provide opportunities for adult Oregonians to “skill-up” and land a better job, one that local businesses need filled.
Having a good job is at the core of successful Oregon families. A good job leads to improved health, quality of life and opportunity for parents and their kids, as well as reduced burden on state services.
To achieve the Governor’s overall vision of lifelong learning and skills training, the state must commit to making changes in existing employment programs, investments in career and technical education, and workforce training. Businesses must also be given opportunities to invest in industry training systems.
Portland is an important economic hub for the state and site of many business opportunities.
Oregon State University’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Initiative aims to address this growing need by providing workers in the outdoor recreation industry with the skills and training they need to advance in their careers.
For those already working in this area, that means advancing their education so they can move up to a higher paying job in their current field or organization.
For recent high school and college graduates, it means building targeted in-demand skills in order to enter this rapidly growing field in a sustainable way that encourages their long-term success.