Quality Jobs Initiative
Creating an Equitable Economic Recovery
The Quality Jobs initiative is a commitment to designing and developing a regional approach with workers, employers, job seekers, community-based organizations, economic developers, and local municipalities to define, support and promote quality jobs.
We have launched this regional effort and are building a public/private coalition to advance an equitable economic recovery. Through this Initiative, we hope to increase job quality by supporting strategies to provide self-sufficiency wages, workplace safety, worker engagement, comprehensive benefit programs, predictable scheduling and hours, accessible hiring and onboarding, and training and advancement opportunities. We hope you will join us!
Quality Jobs Council
In mid-2021, WSW and its Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (CWWC) partners, Clackamas Workforce Partnership and Worksystems convened 19 cross-sectoral participants representing businesses, workers, labor, service providers, and government agencies located in the Portland-Southwest Washington Metropolitan area to develop and adopt a regional approach to creating quality jobs. The purpose of the Council was to (1) define a quality job for the region, (2) provide guidance on standards employers can adopt, (3) identify resources to help employers implement in accordance with their workplace needs, and (4) develop a roadmap/framework of actions and implementation steps.
The Quality Jobs Framework was developed in close collaboration with the Council and informed by: (1) a multipronged research approach which included a review of existing regional case studies; (2) a nationwide scan of best practices; and (3) a series of interviews with relevant organizations and leaders throughout the region to identify core components of a quality job.
What is a Quality Job?
In July 2022, the Quality Jobs Framework a blueprint of actionable, detailed strategies for companies to improve their jobs and work conditions, was released.
The Framework has been adopted by each the CWWC’s boards via Board Resolutions.
Quality Jobs Guides
The guides provide businesses and partner organizations across Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties with tools and strategies to implement and track Quality Jobs strategies.
The guides include in-depth information on Quality Jobs Standards, practical guidance on implementing strategies, a fillable worksheet to help guide businesses, and additional resources to help your business improve job quality to recruit and retain talent.
Recommendations for Next Steps
The Framework offers strategies for organizations seeking practical guidance on how to improve job quality in the region.
As next steps, organizations can do the following:
1. Share the Framework with organizational leadership.
2. Review the recommendations and develop a plan for incorporating the relevant recommendations of the Framework within their organizations.
3. Keep the Workforce Development Boards and Council apprised of progress.
For assistance implementing your strategy, reach out to the workforce boards at:
• Workforce Southwest Washington (Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum counties, Washington) – Darcy Hoffman (she/her/hers), Director of Business Services, 360.608.4949 | Email Darcy
• Clackamas Workforce Partners (Clackamas County, Oregon) – Amanda Wall, Community Relations Manager, 503.657.6644 | Email Amanda
• Worksystems (Multnomah and Washington counties, Oregon) – Jesse Aronson, Adult Services Manager, 503.478.7324 | Email Jesse
The Quality Jobs Initiative follows these guiding principles:
- Prioritize advancing workforce equity.
- Alignment with workforce programs and target customer supply.
- Elevate partners/companies.
- Provide a blueprint for companies who want to make improvements for their workforce.
- Include all companies who express commitment to provide quality jobs.
- Data driven – wage standards based on self-sufficiency standard and/or other best practices.
Success Stories
Improving Healthcare Outcomes & Employee Success Through Funding and Sourcing of Workforce Training Programs
