WorkSource Oregon is the state’s one-stop shop for all things pertaining to workforce development and job placement.
A statewide partnership with the Oregon Employment Department and state, local, and nonprofit agencies, WorkSource Oregon provides a variety of employment and training services to job seekers and employers throughout the Beaver State.
If you need a job, WorkSource Oregon (www.worksourceoregon.org) is the place to go. Whether you’ve been laid off, want a career change, or are just looking for your first job, WorkSource matches people to jobs that suit their skill sets. You can take part in workshops on resumes, computer skills, interviewing and more. WorkSource may even be able to pay for training to help you advance in your career. Plus, WorkSource can connect you to other resources for extra support as you look for work or go through training or school.
If you’re an employer, WorkSource can help you find talent, save money, and grow your business. WorkSource helps recruit both specialized and general talent. It identifies possible tax credits and shares information on market wages to help employers attract and retain quality workers. And WorkSource can help you grow a skilled workforce, and increase the skills of your current workforce, with apprenticeships, internships and training options. WorkSource also helps pay for the costs of training.
Forecast: A Decade of Job Growth
According to a recent report by the Oregon Employment Department, Oregon’s total employment is projected to increase by 317,600 jobs between 2020 and 2030. In 2020, there were approximately 2 million jobs in Oregon. The projected 16% increase in employment by 2030 includes 283,500 new private-sector jobs and 25,700 new jobs in government, along with a gain of 8,300 in self-employed.
The job sectors that are expected to grow the fastest by 2030 in Oregon are, in order, leisure and hospitality; health care; professional and business services; trade, transportation and utilities; local government; manufacturing; and construction. Leisure and hospitality will add 73,800 jobs over the course of the decade, while health care will add 51,000 new jobs.
The two regions expected to grow at the fastest rates are Central Oregon (18%) and Greater Portland (17%). Northwest Oregon is expected to grow at the same rate as Oregon statewide — 16%.
More Money in Employers’ Pockets
One bonus for employers is that Oregon recently lowered its unemployment tax rate for 2022. Signed into law by the governor on July 27, 2021, House Bill 3389 officially lowers the payroll tax rate to an average rate of 1.97% for the 2022 calendar year. This is down from 2.26% in 2021. HB 3389 allows Oregon to lower tax rates when other states are increasing unemployment insurance tax rates and are continuing to borrow funds.
Oregon lowered its unemployment tax rate for 2022 to an average rate of 1.97%.
In addition, HB 3389 allows eligible employers to defer up to one-third of their 2021 UI tax liability until June 30, 2022, without accruing interest or penalties on deferred amounts. It also allows some employers to receive full or partial forgiveness of their deferrable liability based on how much their UI tax rate increased from 2020 to 2021.
As of January 4, 2002, Oregon reported a statewide unemployment rate of 4.2% and 107,000 job vacancies. The Oregon Employment Department reported 10,000 jobs added statewide in November 2021.
For the month of December 2021, WorkSource Oregon reported serving 17,593 total job seekers and 415 total employers. Some 35,907 new job listings were added, giving Oregon a total of 50,352 open job listings.
For more information, go to www.worksourceoregon.org.
