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Education and Talent Development: Pathway to Opportunity and Equity

More than ever before, increased levels of education and training determine an individual’s access to opportunity, the vitality of our communities, and our economic strength and prosperity. Education is a key to closing opportunity gaps and preparing Oregonians to thrive.

OBC has been working to improve public education close to three decades. We partner with leaders from business, community-based organizations, education institutions, and foundations to advocate for system changes that will increase levels of attainment and make education more equity focused and learner centered.

Additionally, we must strengthen career readiness, build more equitable postsecondary access and outcomes, and redesign a workforce system that advances a diverse workforce and supports Oregonians to get the education, training, and support they need to connect to high-wage careers.

Our education policy priorities are to:

Redesign our PreK-20 education system to be student-centered and equity-focused.
Support all Oregonians to achieve higher levels of education attainment with a focus on 21st century skills.
Advance equitable engagement in STEM and CTE.
Redesign and expand access to adult workforce education and skill-building, with wrap-around support, especially for displaced or historically underserved workers. See our Oregon Business Plan paper on this issue.

40-40-20 Goal for Young Adults

Oregon wants to get more learners to and through a postsecondary education, whether that’s represented by a certificate in a skilled occupation, an associate’s degree, a baccalaureate, or a graduate or professional degree. The Legislature adopted Senate Bill 253 with the goal that by 2025, 40 percent of young adult Oregonians will complete a four-year degree or more, 40 percent will complete a two-year degree or short-term career certificate, and the remaining 20 percent will have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Learn more here

Adult Education Attainment Goal

In 2018, Oregon set a new goal focused on adult workforce education and training. Between 2020 and 2030, 300,000 adult Oregonians will earn a new degree, certificate, or other credential of value. To meet this goal, Oregon will train and educate more working age adults, especially underserved populations, to earn more than 100,000 new credentials by 2030. Oregon will reduce the adult educational attainment gaps by half for underserved people of color, low-income learners, and rural learners during this decade. Learn more here.