Other Career and College Resources
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) has a number of resources to help youth and adult learners access and succeed in college and career training programs in the state of Oregon. Learn more about the HECC here.
HECC is Oregon’s state policy and funding coordinating board and agency focused on postsecondary education and training opportunities for Oregonians, and includes eight offices including OSAC. The HECC also supports the Workforce and Talent Development Board, which hosts some of the resources below.
Accelerated learning programs are educational experiences that provide high school students with the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school.
Students participating in accelerated learning are often starting on a pathway to a college degree or certificate. These programs aim to provide bridges that support and encourage a college-going culture and reduce gaps in college access and academic achievement. They can smooth the transition into a college or university by enabling high school students to successfully earn college credit and better prepare for postsecondary expectations.
The HECC works with educators across Oregon to ensure that students may access quality accelerated learning programs while in high school.
Learn more about types of Accelerated Learning Programs in Oregon and the HECC's role.
Oregon’s Adult Basic Skills (ABS) programs provide adult Oregonians the skills they need for family self-sufficiency, careers, community involvement, and further education. The HECC works with community colleges and adult education providers across the state who provides these educational services to Oregon adults.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Registered Apprenticeship programs provides individuals with a job, education, and an entry point into a lifelong career. Registered Apprenticeships help employers develop and cultivate a skilled, certified, and engaged workforce. To learn more about apprenticeship or explore apprenticeship opportunities, visit www.oregonapprenticeship.org.
Apprenticeship Programs (Bureau of Labor and Industry/BOLI)
Learn more about Oregon apprenticeship and training programs, focusing on construction, industrial and manufacturing trades. Visit the Bureau of Labor and Industry Apprenticeship site.
The Workforce and Talent Development Board offers numerous resources for current and future students to engage in career research and planning. These resources can help you gain employable skills, discover a new career path, explore high wage and high demand careers, and create an education plan to help you meet your goals.
You can stay informed and engaged on initiatives of the State of Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), the primary state entity responsible for ensuring pathways to postsecondary education success for Oregonians statewide.
- Read an introduction to the HECC here.
- Sign up for email announcements, public meeting notices, and newsletters, or browse recent HECC news here.
- Learn about the State of Oregon’s educational attainment goals and Equity Lens.
The Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) is an office of the HECC.
Oregon's High School Equivalency Program, administered by the HECC Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD) oversees the GED® test preparation, instruction and testing process in Oregon. The GED® program provides individuals with an opportunity to earn a GED® test credential. Earning a GED® test credential can help individuals improve their chances to find work, increase earnings, and/or pursue additional education through community colleges, universities or training programs.
OregonServes is a statewide commission focused on service and volunteer efforts, enhancing the ethic of service and voluntarism in the state, and providing funds for state-based AmeriCorps programs. As a state commission, OregonServes’ role is to promote and elevate service, volunteerism and civic engagement in Oregon communities.
In Oregon, more than 4,500 people of all ages and backgrounds meet local needs through AmeriCorps State and National, Senior Corps, NCCC and VISTA programs. In exchange for a year of service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. Learn more about AmeriCorps in Oregon.
Oregon is home to hundreds of private colleges, universities, and career schools providing a wide range of college and career training options to Oregonians. To find lists of approved colleges, schools, and opportunities, please visit the following links:
Community Colleges:
Oregon communities are served by 17 local community colleges across the state. See campus websites links to learn more about the degree, certificate, and job training program offerings.
Public Universities:
Oregon has 7 public universities, offering diverse, high quality programs of study to local and global students. See campus website links to explore programs and opportunities.
Data and Research on Oregon’s Public Institutions:
The HECC publishes numerous data and research reports on the 24 public institutions and their students, including the Statewide Snapshots.
Thousands of students transfer to and between Oregon colleges and universities each year, and the HECC works with the institutions to help those transitions go as smoothly as possible. Learn more about the Oregon Transfer Compass, the Core Transfer Maps and more here. To learn about the policy work behind these tools, see Transfer and Credit strategies here, or follow the work of the Oregon Transfer Council here.
Oregon’s postsecondary education and workforce development partners help state residents obtain and succeed in family wage jobs while meeting employers’ needs for a skilled workforce. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission works with the Governor, the Legislature, the Workforce and Talent Development Board, and partner agencies and boards to lead strategies, funds, and programming for a variety of initiatives focused on employment opportunities, skill attainment, and work-related training for Oregonians.
Learn more about state Workforce and Training Strategies.
Learn about HECC-administered workforce programs, including programs to serve dislocated workers.
Oregon Youth Works is comprised of several workforce development grant programs housed within HECC’s Office of Workforce Investments:
- Oregon Conservation Corps focuses on reducing the risk wildfire poses to communities and critical infrastructure, creating fire-adapted communities, and engaging youth and young adults in workforce training.
- The Oregon Youth Corps creates meaningful opportunities for youth through significant resource projects that enhance the Oregon Community, including through the Summer Conservation Corp (SCC), and funding for youth work crews throughout Oregon.
- The Oregon WIOA Youth Programs provides workforce development training opportunities to young people ages 14-24 through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Note: HECC does not directly hire young Oregonians for these programs, but coordinates with local and regional programs.
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