Hillsboro Workforce and Job Training

Hillsboro Offers an educated and talented workforce particularly skilled in bioscience, clean tech, information technology, and manufacturing industries. Of residents 25 and up, 90.8 percent attained a high school diploma, and 41.7 percent attained a bachelor’s degree or higher (US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates 2022).

Hillsboro also has the highest labor participation rate in the Portland MSA. 71.1 percent of Hillsboro residents aged 16 and up are engaged in the workforce. Hillsboro also fares consistently better than the state average in terms of employment rates (US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates 2022).

Local workforce resources include:

The Oregon Employment Department

WorkSource Oregon, sponsored by the Oregon Employment Department, offers a one-stop solution for finding and retaining qualified employment candidates. An account representative will serve as your single point of contact, learning about your specific recruiting, hiring and training needs, and assisting you with locating, developing and accessing regional workforce services and resources.

Enterprise Zone Workforce Development Program

Businesses within Hillsboro’s Enterprise Zone may be eligible for customized job training funds to assist with classroom instruction or on-the-job training for groups of employees in a specific area. Examples include ongoing skills training or professional development that will provide advancement opportunities within the company. The program may be administered by a third party like Portland Community College. Contact Kristi Wilson for details.

Small business training courses partially sponsored by the Enterprise Zone fund are also available to Downtown Hillsboro businesses located within the Enterprise Zone. Contact Karla Antonini for details about the Downtown program.

Hillsboro’s On-the-Job Training (OJT) Reimbursement program supports local businesses by supplementing the cost of training new hires in entry-level occupations with little to no experience. This program is designed to incentivize diverse hiring practices that provides job seekers the opportunity to pursue a new career path in key industries, including advanced manufacturing, technology, and food manufacturing. Click here for more information.

The CIWT Reimbursement Program supports Hillsboro businesses by financing the cost of training for groups of employees in a specific area. Examples include ongoing skills training such as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), safety, equipment maintenance, or professional development promoting economic mobility and career advancement for incumbent workers in key industries of advanced manufacturing, technology, and food manufacturing. Click here for more information.

Prosperidad Economic Empowerment Center

A component of Hillsboro’s economic development program is to support small business and entrepreneurial activity and to support workforce development. Prosperidad Employment Center is a strategic alliance of community partners focused on improving the economic vitality of Hillsboro through employment and self-employment strategies. Contact Jonath Colon-Montesi for more information on the Prosperidad Employment Empowerment Center.

Worksystems, Inc. Worksystems, Inc. designs and coordinates workforce development programs and services delivered through a network of local partners to help people acquire the skills, training and education they need to go to work or to advance in their careers. Partners include employers, labor groups, government, community colleges, high schools, and community-based and economic development organizations.

Related Links

• Hillsboro Manufacturing Workforce Partnership (MWP)

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Questions?

For more information about Downtown small business training, contact Karla Antonini. For more information about the Enterprise Zone Workforce Development Program, contact Kristi Wilson.