Economic Mobility

Earning a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) opens doors to career pathways that promote self-sufficiency. From bus drivers to garbage truck drivers to long-haul truckers, obtaining a CDL is a way [...]

In the wake of the pandemic, families across Southwest Washington still struggle to make ends meet. Often that means having to decide between paying bills and buying food. At the same time, the [...]

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry faces challenges with retention, burnout and staffing shortages. Long-term care workers in the Portland-Southwest Washington [...]

In the Portland-Southwest Washington region, women make 81.2% of what men make. Annually, this accounts for an earning disparity of $11,740 between men and women. Despite representing 58.4% of [...]

Our communities, and the elected officials who create policies that support them, are in one of the most unique times in recent history. Even as we move past the pandemic, companies are [...]

In January 2023, Washington State ushered in two new regulations around wages – to raise the minimum wage and mandate wage transparency on job postings. The new regulations help job seekers and [...]

Historically, Black workers in the United States face inequities in pay, employment and advancement opportunities. The trend continues today, with wage and employment disparities compounded by [...]

On July 1, 2022, the Thrive program began serving residents in Wahkiakum County. The program expansion aims to help people experiencing poverty and individuals from historically excluded groups [...]

Despite working two part-time jobs, Cynthia, a single parent could not make enough to support her family. Connecting with a case manager at WorkSource allowed her to learn about careers in [...]

Nationally, Black workers and other people of color face wage and employment disparities. Southwest Washington’s workforce reflects these national trends, with Black workers falling behind in [...]