Introduction
Willamette Workforce Partnership (WWP) is the local workforce development board serving Linn, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties. We connect workers, community organizations, employers, and workforce partners to strengthen the regional workforce and expand access to employment opportunities.

WWP is seeking qualified community-based organizations to provide paid work experience and workforce preparation activities for youth through the Oregon Youth Employment Program (OYEP).

OYEP is funded by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and provides meaningful paid work experience and workforce preparation for youth and young adults ages 14–24, with an emphasis on youth from underserved and historically underrepresented communities. The OYEP grant requires participating youth to receive at least 5 weeks of training and work experience.

This RFQQ is intended to expand WWP’s existing OYEP capacity through a streamlined community-based model. Selected organizations will provide participating youth with Oregon Employability Skills development and at least 75 hours of paid work experience.

Selected organizations will serve as the employer of record for participating youth and will be responsible for youth wages, payroll, workers’ compensation, work experience coordination, supervision, and required program documentation. WWP will provide additional program guidance and support to selected organizations.

Program Goals
Selected organizations will be expected to:

• Serve approximately 3–5 youth.
• Provide a minimum of five weeks of combined workforce preparation and work experience.
• Provide a minimum of 75 hours of paid work experience for each youth.
• Provide the Oregon Employability Skills Exploration Curriculum, including all 10 employability skill areas.
• Provide WWP-approved incentives tied to completion of Oregon Employability Skills activities.
• Develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for each youth that includes work readiness skills, education goals, and career goals.
• Provide meaningful work experience opportunities aligned, when possible, with each youth’s interests and career goals.
• Provide appropriate supervision, coaching, and support.
• Provide or coordinate approved supportive services and work-related supplies when needed.
• Maintain required documentation and provide participant information to WWP for program tracking and reporting.

The OYEP grant requires an IDP for each participant and permits supportive services to address barriers such as transportation, supplies and equipment, and childcare.

Youth Eligibility and Priority Populations
Participating youth must be ages 14–24 and participate in OYEP services within WWP’s service area of Linn, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties.

WWP’s OYEP application identifies the following participant characteristics:

• Communities that have been historically underrepresented in youth development
• Communities that have faced generational poverty
• Youth who have a parent currently or formerly incarcerated
• Youth who have neither the work experience nor the credentials required for an occupation related to WWP’s targeted sectors
• Youth who have no work history or have a history of being terminated from employment
• Rural communities
• Other communities that have been historically underrepresented

Youth under age 18 will require approval from a parent or guardian to complete the required program forms and participate in OYEP.

Funding and Timeline
WWP anticipates awarding approximately 3 contracts, each up to $20,000.

Applicants should propose serving approximately 3–5 youth and identify the number of youth their organization can realistically serve within the available funding while meeting all required project components.

• Anticipated Contract Period: January 1, 2027 through April 30, 2027 
• Participant Service and Spending Deadline: April 30, 2027
• Final Invoice and Closeout Deadline: May 15, 2027 

WWP reserves the right to negotiate the final award amount, scope of work, number of youth to be served, and project budget before contract execution.

Eligible Applicants
WWP is seeking community-based organizations with the organizational and fiscal capacity to operate the proposed project successfully.
Applicants must be able to:

• Serve youth within Linn, Marion, Polk, and/or Yamhill Counties.
• Serve as the employer of record for participating youth.
• Maintain appropriate payroll and financial systems.
• Provide or develop meaningful work experience placements.
• Provide appropriate youth supervision and support.
• Maintain required program and fiscal documentation.
• Meet applicable employment, insurance, contracting, and fiscal requirements.

Application Information
This application should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Applicants may save their progress by selecting the “Save and Continue” option in the top-right corner of the screen.

For assistance with this RFQQ, contact:
Veronica Rosas
Program Director
Vrosas@willwp.org
(503) 400-5504
Application Open Date: Friday, October 16, 2026, at 8:00 AM
Application Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Anticipated Notice of Award: No later than November 30, 2026
Anticipated Contract Start Date: Friday, January 1, 2027

Willamette Workforce Partnership is an equal opportunity program/employer. Language assistance is available to individuals with limited English proficiency free of cost.
Auxiliary aids or services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Oregon Relay 1-800-735-2900.

Willamette Workforce Partnership es un programa/empleador que respeta la igualdad de oportunidades.
Hay asistencia de idiomas para personas con conocimiento limitado del inglés sin costo y servicios auxiliares disponibles a pedido para discapacidades.Oregon Relay 1-800-735-2900.

This application is screen reader compatible.