Labor Market
CWWC embraces a region-wide approach to workforce development. People, capital, and resources cross jurisdictional boundaries every day in service to the regional economy; it makes good sense to take a similar approach to developing the area’s labor market. This is embodied in the concept of the “labor shed”—
Just as the topography of a watershed unites the ecosystems within it, the human, cultural, and natural resources of a region determine its collective destiny, regardless of lines on a map.
Regional Demand for workers
29.4%
Healthcare and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Construction combined workforce in 2021
16%
Job growth since 2011
66.4%
Labor force participation rate
1,353,249
2021 Total Employment
For decades, a high quality of life–combined with a robust entrepreneurial culture that promotes small-business growth, and a national reputation for innovation, tolerance, and out-of-the-box thinking—has attracted young, creative talent from across the globe to the Portland Metro region. These factors, along with the presence of flagship employers like Intel and Nike, has enabled the region to cultivate a broad and diverse economic base.
Challenges
Today, however, the region is facing challenges that threaten to negatively impact economic growth, including:
- Housing shortage
- Uneven recovery from the COVID-19 recession
- Perception of rising crime rates
While the region is still growing, many families are relocating to different parts of the metro area; in 2020-2022, Multnomah County lost population for the first time in decades.
Median Family Income
No Data Found
At the same time, there are reasons to be optimistic:
The regional job market is robust, with an unemployment rate below the national average.
Our region is poised to take advantage of federal investment in semiconductor manufacturing, a sector which is already a linchpin in the regional economy.
In Multnomah County, the Childcare for All initiative is improving the financial conditions of early childhood educators while allowing more parents to participate in the labor force.
A coordinated public and private investment in mental health, substance abuse, and social service workers is providing support for those most in need while providing employment pathways for people whose lived experience might otherwise be a barrier to sustainable employment.
The Collaborative uses key “Target Sectors” of industry to harness regional growth to improve the lives of jobseekers; These sectors are Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare & Social Assistance, and Clean Energy.
We are constantly reviewing and reaffirming the sectors where we focus our resources, and are poised to pivot and focus on specific and emerging industry needs when appropriate.
2022-2023
State of the Workforce Labor Report
About the Report
By examining labor market intelligence (such as the data contained in this report) and vetting the information with business partners, we are able to better understand industry trends, identify current and emergent workforce needs, and develop customized solutions for each sector.
