Oregon City’s 
Economic Development Department announced a new public/private partnership between the City’s workforce development program and a major employer in the community: Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center.
Economic Development officials say the agreement between Talent Ready Oregon City and Providence Willamette Falls will dramatically increase the number of job opportunities within the healthcare industry for residents in Oregon City.
“We are very happy to join forces with Oregon City,” said Lisa Halvorsen, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center. “With so many changes occurring in the medical world, and increased competition for skilled workers, joining Talent Ready was an easy decision.”
Talent Ready is more than just a job search program. It is a free service for Oregon City residents that was created to address many of the obstacles that keep people unemployed or in jobs that do not offer a future. In turn, this helps local businesses find quality, dependable employees at a time when many businesses are facing workforce shortages.
“People often face more roadblocks than just a lack of job skills when trying to secure a job that they desire. These challenges can include mental health, lack of childcare, as well as drug and alcohol addiction to name a few. Talent Ready Oregon City is an initiative designed to help potential employees and employers overcome the type of obstacles that keep both groups apart,” said Economic Development Manager James Graham. “Employers need good and dependable employees and many individuals hampered by life’s obstacles need jobs. Talent Ready is an initiative created by the Oregon City Economic Development Department to help bring the two groups together.”
Officials state that this is why this announcement of a brand-new partnership between the Oregon City Economic Development Department and Providence Willamette Falls is viewed as a very timely and positive development for Oregon City residents.
With more than 750 employees, Providence Willamette Falls is the largest private sector employer in Oregon City. The public/private partnership agreement with Providence will help more Oregon City residents get into the medical industry.
The list of services as well as job opportunities offered at Providence Willamette Falls has grown substantially since it first opened in 1954. The campus includes a cardiac rehabilitation center, the Providence Cancer Institute and neurological services in addition to general health and surgery, providing ample options for residents looking at a career in the field.
Economic Development Manager James Graham said the partnership will be of tremendous benefit for Oregon City residents. “As many know, one’s life journey isn’t a straight line; there are usually a few curves along the way. Talent Ready, along with Providence, will help our residents navigate those curves.”
Oregon City’s Economic Development Department is pleased to join forces with the following community nonprofit partners in implementing this new initiative:
- Community nonprofit Worksource Clackamas
- Clackamas Community College Workforce Development Center
- Children, Family and Community Connections, Clackamas County
- Clackamas County Behavioral Health
- Clackamas Workforce Partnership
- Oregon Dept. Of Human Services – Employment & Training Navigators
- Oregon City School District
- Oregon State University Extension
- Parrott Creek Child and Family Services
Officials confirm that more announcements will be forthcoming regarding public /private partnerships between Talent Ready Oregon City and local employers.
If you are an Oregon City resident needing to overcome obstacles keeping you from THAT job, Talent Ready can help you connect to:
- Available Job information
- Job skill development training resources
- Mental Health Services
- Childcare referral assistance
- Alcohol and Drug addiction treatment
- Much more
For more information on Talent Ready Oregon City go to the Oregon City Economic Development Department’s website: oregoncitybusiness.com, or call Ann Griffin, Economic Development Coordinator at 503-974-5517 or send an email to agriffin@orcity.org.