The Workforce Benefits Navigator Program, a cornerstone initiative by Northwest Oregon Works (NOW), is designed to expand access to vital workforce opportunities for underserved and priority populations. Led by an experienced professional with international expertise and over two decades of local career and technical training experience, this program embodies a grassroots approach to community empowerment and inclusion.
At the heart of the program are strategic partnerships with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) with deep, trusted connections within their communities. These collaborations are not just partnerships—they are lifelines to opportunities. By embedding Workforce Benefits Navigators directly within these CBOs, the program ensures that services are accessible and culturally relevant.
The Workforce Benefits Navigator Program goes beyond traditional outreach by leveraging innovative technology to bridge accessibility gaps, tailoring services to meet the unique needs of each community, and providing comprehensive training for service staff. This approach ensures that individuals are connected to workforce benefits and are empowered to navigate them effectively, breaking down barriers to wage progression, educational attainment, and long-term career success.
By focusing on inclusivity and addressing the distinct challenges faced by Oregon’s priority populations, the Workforce Benefits Navigator Program paves the way for a brighter, more equitable future in which everyone has the tools, support, and opportunity to succeed.
Authorized under SB 1545, the WBN program is one of eight under the Future Ready Oregon bill. Passed in the Spring of 2022, Future Ready Oregon aims to advance a more equitable workforce system by expanding and innovating workforce training, raising economic prosperity by connecting individuals to the training they need for well-paying jobs and connecting businesses to the skilled labor they need for growth. It is established and administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission in consultation with the State Workforce and Talent Development Board.
