The State of Oregon Employment Department recently released a report analyzing difficult to fill job openings and job vacancies in Oregon. You can download or read the full report here:
https://www.qualityinfo.org/documents/10182/13336/Oregon%27s+Current+Workforce+Gaps?version=1.1
Farm workers are in a shortlist of occupations that are increasingly difficult to fill and maintain vacancies. This, naturally, has an impact on agriculturally focused communities like Wasco County that depend on farm labor.
Based on the data, it appears in Wasco County’s region (East Cascades) lower wages and lack of previous experience are partly to blame for ongoing vacancies. We have also discussed in previous posts how other factors like housing availability/affordability may impact economic development.
We would love to hear your input about workforce gaps and how we might leverage the land use planning system in Wasco County to help close the gaps. Please submit comments, email or write us!
And be sure to attend upcoming events.