Jennifer Purcell on Future Ready Oregon and a Future Ready Workforce

Shownotes

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark dives into the intricacies of workforce development and public leadership with Jennifer Purcell, the director of Future Ready Oregon. This state-level initiative represents a groundbreaking approach to aligning education and workforce systems, with a strong emphasis on equity and access. Jennifer shares insights into how Future Ready Oregon has successfully secured over $200 million in funding to support diverse learners and workers, creating pathways that connect education and high-demand career opportunities. The conversation highlights innovative programs like Workforce Navigators, which address broader needs such as transportation and childcare, ensuring equitable access to education and training.

Jennifer also reflects on her own journey from the private sector to public service, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and continuous improvement. Her leadership in developing Future Ready Oregon illustrates how strategic public administration can effectively tackle workforce challenges by integrating education, training, and employment pathways. The discussion underscores the vital role of public leadership in shaping equitable workforce systems and offers inspiration for those considering careers in public service. Tune in to hear how Future Ready Oregon is making a significant impact on the state’s workforce landscape and learn about the personal and professional experiences that have guided Jennifer’s path in public leadership.

Outline

(00:00) Introduction to Key Topics
(00:58) Deep Dive into Workforce Development
(02:12) Exploring Future Ready Oregon
(10:59) Innovative Programs and Grants
(28:22) Public Leadership and Personal Journey

Introduction to Key Topics

Tom Vander Ark: Two big topics today. First, workforce development—it’s a priority in just about every state, but it’s a big, complex orchestration of public-private partnerships that spans secondary, post-secondary, and adult education. The second topic is public leadership. I’d argue that it’s also increasingly important and complex.

This weekend, I was at a retreat where I thought about public leadership as an expression of civics education. Unfortunately, it seems underrepresented in high school and college pathways these days. So, our focus today: workforce development and public leadership. You’re listening to the Getting Smart Podcast. I’m Tom Vander Ark.

Deep Dive into Workforce Development

Tom Vander Ark: Today, we’re speaking with Jennifer Purcell about workforce and public leadership in Oregon. Jennifer directs Future Ready Oregon, which I learned about a couple of weeks ago and was so impressed by that I wanted to learn more. Jennifer, welcome to the podcast.

Jennifer Purcell: Thanks, Tom. It’s good to be with you.

Tom Vander Ark: I suppose you’d agree that workforce development is a priority for just about every state. It seems like every governor campaigns on a jobs agenda. Is that fair to say?

Jennifer Purcell: Absolutely, it’s a priority. I’d take it even further and say that, even for policy priorities not directly related to workforce development, there’s often a workforce component critical to delivering on those promises.

Tom Vander Ark: Interesting. This weekend, I was thinking about how Ohio combined its education and workforce departments into a single entity to align goals and create clarity. Who knows, we might see something similar happen at the federal level in the near future.

Exploring Future Ready Oregon

Tom Vander Ark: Let’s dive into Future Ready Oregon. It seems like a beautifully orchestrated state-level initiative. What is Future Ready Oregon? How did it come to be? And, how on earth did you manage to secure over $200 million in funding? What’s the origin story?

Jennifer Purcell: Sure. Future Ready Oregon began during Governor Brown’s administration as a package of investments that was passed by Oregon’s legislature in 2022. It includes a $200 million investment in education and training pathways aimed at advancing a more equitable workforce system in Oregon and increasing opportunities for diverse learners and workers.

The groundwork for the initiative started in late 2021, following the pandemic and a heightened national call for racial justice and equity. Governor Brown established a Racial Justice Council, which became operational during the pandemic and brought together leaders from across the state to identify challenges and opportunities across various policy areas.

What we found was that workforce issues were a common thread—whether it was ensuring access to a diverse, skilled workforce for employers or providing education and training opportunities for individuals to connect with high-wage, high-demand jobs. Workforce development was clearly a priority. This understanding led Governor Brown to establish a Workforce Work Group within the Racial Justice Council to identify strategies to address these challenges effectively.

Tom Vander Ark: Where does Future Ready Oregon sit organizationally within the state administration?

Jennifer Purcell: Most of the investments are administered by Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). Interestingly, Oregon is one of the few states where the higher education system—including colleges, universities, and the public workforce system—is housed under one executive branch agency. This setup provides a strategic opportunity to align initiatives across the post-secondary education and training ecosystem.

The HECC is responsible for administering six of the eight programs under Future Ready Oregon. It also oversees assessment and reporting on the outcomes of these investments. Additionally, Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries administers registered apprenticeships, while the Youth Development Division uses a portion of the investment to advance youth re-engagement grants. These grants aim to reconnect young people who are disconnected from the workforce and education system.

Tom Vander Ark: Does the HECC have a history of grant-making, or is this a new function for them?

Jennifer Purcell: It’s a bit of both. HECC has experience with grant-making, as much of the post-secondary education funding in Oregon flows through it to community colleges and public universities. Additionally, HECC administers state and federal investments through Oregon’s nine local workforce development boards.

However, managing approximately $165 million of Future Ready Oregon’s $200 million investment was a significant undertaking. It required establishing new administrative practices and infrastructure. Importantly, the legislature and the Racial Justice Council challenged HECC to do things differently, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach. This mandate allowed us to address barriers to engagement and better support diverse individuals through innovative strategies.

Tom Vander Ark: I noticed you recently announced another $42 million in grants. Those seemed thoughtfully crafted. Is Future Ready Oregon unusual in its scope and scale compared to similar efforts in other states, or are we seeing this kind of work elsewhere?

Jennifer Purcell: Elements of Future Ready Oregon can be found in other states, but its scale and comprehensiveness are unique. Coming on the heels of the pandemic, we had the opportunity to combine state general funds with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, allowing us to make a sizable investment.

We also leaned into the national call for racial justice and equity, which informed the program’s design. Future Ready Oregon integrates multiple components, including investments in local workforce development boards, community colleges, public universities, and community-based organizations. These groups are treated as equal partners in delivering workforce development services, which is a key innovation.

Innovative Programs and Grants

Tom Vander Ark: Let’s talk about specific aspects of Future Ready Oregon. One of my favorite programs is the Workforce Navigators initiative. What is that about?

Jennifer Purcell: Workforce Navigators are a key component of the program. In partnership with Oregon’s nine local workforce development boards, HECC is funding pilot projects that place benefits navigators within communities. These navigators connect individuals to education and training opportunities, as well as resources that address basic needs such as transportation, childcare, housing, mental health support, and food security.

We’ve found that addressing these broader needs is critical for ensuring equitable access to and success in education and training. Today’s students often face challenges that extend beyond tuition and fees. By providing comprehensive supports, we can better support their journey toward employment and economic mobility.

Tom Vander Ark: That’s a great point. Something as simple as a bus fare can become a barrier to training or employment. Does this program also include career guidance?

Jennifer Purcell: Yes, our local workforce boards play a significant role in providing career coaching, mentoring, and resume development. Some organizations have even implemented mobile services, bringing career resources directly to libraries, community centers, and grocery stores. This approach ensures we’re meeting people where they are and helping them access opportunities for education, training, and career advancement.

Tom Vander Ark: I’ve seen similar efforts, like the San Diego Workforce Board’s initiatives. They’ve done a fantastic job offering localized, personalized career guidance. I also think AI will play a significant role in this area by 2025, combining human advisors with algorithmic tools to provide tailored path guidance. A big part of Future Ready Oregon’s grants focuses on industry consortia in healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Why those sectors?

Jennifer Purcell: Healthcare, manufacturing, and technology were identified in the legislation as critical sectors facing workforce shortages and strategic opportunities. These industries are vital to Oregon’s economic competitiveness. The industry consortia build on regional sector partnerships by taking a statewide view. They engage employers, education and training providers, community partners, and local workforce boards to co-create solutions for workforce challenges.

For example, the healthcare consortium prioritizes nursing career pathways while also addressing community-specific workforce shortages. Manufacturing focuses on career exploration and transferable skills, emphasizing earn-and-learn opportunities. Technology initiatives target upskilling and reskilling workers, as tech literacy becomes essential across all sectors.

Tom Vander Ark: I loved your recent grant announcement because it included so many innovative programs. Let me highlight a few: Klamath High School is launching a new health pathway, which is fantastic. Bushnell School of Nursing is creating a program to train bachelor’s degree-level nurses for rural settings, addressing a critical workforce need. In manufacturing, Clackamas Community College is expanding access to manufacturing careers, and there’s a notable reentry program. In tech, I was especially impressed by the Afghan Support Network’s efforts to prepare Afghan refugees for IT certifications and high-wage employment. It’s an impressive set of grants.

Jennifer Purcell: Thank you, Tom. This was actually the third round of grants. The first round focused on capacity building, helping organizations expand their ability to meet workforce needs and establish partnerships. The second round supported innovative collaborations in education and training across the three key sectors—healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.

For this third round, the industry consortia played a pivotal role in shaping priorities. Over the past two years, they’ve helped us weave together all eight components of Future Ready Oregon. For example, workforce benefits navigators connect individuals to education, training, and employment opportunities, while the consortia identify barriers and co-create solutions to improve workforce and talent development.

In healthcare, about half of the grants went toward nursing career pathways, while the other half addressed community-identified healthcare workforce needs. Manufacturing grants emphasized career exploration, transferable skills, and earn-and-learn opportunities. In technology, the focus was on transferable tech skills and connecting workers to upskilling or reskilling opportunities, recognizing the growing demand for tech literacy across all industries.

Tom Vander Ark: It’s fascinating how you’ve integrated these initiatives. Let’s talk about a few of the other programs funded under Future Ready Oregon. There’s the community college career pathway grants, the credit for prior learning program, $10 million for youth development organizations, and a significant investment in expanding registered apprenticeships. Which of these is your favorite?

Jennifer Purcell: I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite—they’re all so interconnected and complementary. For example, the community college career pathways serve as a model for connecting education and training with wraparound supports, which is something we’re scaling across other programs. The credit for prior learning program is equally important, as it recognizes the skills and experiences people bring to the table, allowing them to advance more quickly.

The Prosperity 10,000 initiative, which invests in local workforce boards, focuses on building regionally driven workforce ecosystems. This complements the broader, statewide efforts of the industry consortia. Each program addresses unique needs, but together they create a comprehensive system that provides equitable opportunities for Oregonians.

Public Leadership and Personal Journey

Tom Vander Ark: Jennifer, let’s shift gears to public leadership. Future Ready Oregon strikes me as a thoughtful, strategic, and timely public response to workforce challenges. It’s a testament to your leadership. The role of a state initiative director isn’t something most people consider in high school or college. Can you share how you transitioned from a business career in Washington to leading Future Ready Oregon?

Jennifer Purcell: I couldn’t be prouder of the path I’ve taken. I started my career in the private sector, but my transition to public service was shaped by an entrepreneurial mindset that I still bring to my work every day. After moving to Oregon, I spent nearly two decades in Tillamook County on the North Oregon Coast, where I immersed myself in community service and civic engagement.

I started by volunteering with the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council. These experiences led to roles in state government, first as a regional coordinator for community and economic development, and later in the Governor’s office as a regional economic and community development coordinator. Eventually, I took on the workforce portfolio, which included developing Future Ready Oregon.

Tom Vander Ark: Along the way, you earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Portland State University. Was that an important step in your career?

Jennifer Purcell: It was invaluable. I pursued my MPA as a mid-career professional, and it gave me a framework to better articulate and refine the work I was doing in public service. The Hatfield School of Public Service uses a cohort model, so I had the privilege of learning alongside talented colleagues from state and local government, as well as community organizations. It was inspiring and provided a solid foundation for my focus on workforce and talent development.

Tom Vander Ark: That’s a beautiful pathway story. You started with volunteering, transitioned to professional roles, pursued further education, and scaled your impact from local to state-level work. Do you encourage young people to consider public administration as a career?

Jennifer Purcell: Absolutely. I strongly believe in leading from where you are and growing where you’re planted. Public administration can start with volunteering, as it did for me, and evolve into a fulfilling career. At HECC, many team members come from the private sector, and it’s been rewarding to help them transition into public service. I’ve also had the privilege of mentoring others who are exploring public administration as a profession or volunteer pursuit.

Tom Vander Ark: As we wrap up, are there any mentors who have inspired you on your journey?

Jennifer Purcell: There are so many, but two come to mind. Shirley Kalkoven, the former mayor of Nehalem, mentored me early in my public service career. She instilled in me the importance of community engagement and listening to the voices of those impacted by policy decisions. Another inspiration was Patsy Richards, who was deeply involved in developing Future Ready Oregon. She taught me the value of continuous improvement, questioning the status quo, and pushing for equity. Both women made a lasting impact on my life and career.

Tom Vander Ark: Jennifer Purcell directs Future Ready Oregon, a thoughtful and strategic program addressing workforce challenges in the state. Jennifer, thank you for sharing your time and insights with us today.

Jennifer Purcell: Thank you, Tom. It’s been a pleasure.

Tom Vander Ark: Thanks to Mason Pashia, our producer, and the whole Getting Smart team for making this podcast possible. Until next week, keep learning, keep leading, and keep innovating for equity. See you next time.