The Oregon Consortium and Oregon Workforce Alliance is a public/private partnership formed on behalf of 24 rural Oregon Counties.

Our mission is to " Help Rural Oregon Work" by providing vision and guidance to rural workforce development systems and partners.

The Oregon Consortium itself is a voluntary partnership of the 24 member counties, formed originally in 1981 under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, later transitioning to the Job Training Partnership act, and now designated as a Workforce Investment Area under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. 

Over the past 18 years, the Consortium has continued to develop a reliable workforce development system in rural Oregon.  Regional Service Providers within the Consortium area, work with community networks to ensure that workforce development services are provided to job seekers in a way that is responsive to the needs of workers, employers and communities. Such services include, but are not limited to career counseling, job training and job search assistance.

The Oregon Workforce Alliance was formed in November of 1999, and takes the place of its predecessor, The Oregon Private Industry Council, Inc., which functioned on behalf of this rural partnership since 1981.

The Oregon Workforce Alliance consists of 48 members, the majority representing the private sector.  The Oregon Workforce Alliance meets the requirements of a Workforce Investment Board as defined by the Workforce Investment Act.

In partnership with the Oregon Workforce Alliance is The Oregon Consortium Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors consists of one local elected official from each of the 24 counties within the Workforce Investment area.

The Oregon Consortium Board of Directors and Oregon Workforce Alliance, together administer programs throughout the 24 county area via an Administrative Office located in Albany, Oregon and a network of local grant recipients and service providers.

The 24 county Workforce Investment Area includes nine regions, within each region a Regional Workforce Investment Board exists.  These smaller version of the Oregon Workforce Alliance, provide local guidance for the development of the regional plan.  The Chairs of each of these Regional Workforce Investment Boards are members of the Oregon Workforce Alliance.

Local service providers have a history and outstanding reputation for providing effective service strategies for dislocated workers, disadvantaged adults, welfare clients and at-risk youth.  Additionally, they have been leaders in the development of innovative One-Stop service systems, alternative schools, resource rooms and learning centers.