Basic Skill-Building Resources

WorkSource offers free workshops on varied topics to equip WorkSource customers with the skills and knowledge they need to attain their career goals. These workshops can develop basic and advanced skills covering topics such as career exploration, soft skills, networking, resume building, and more. Customers can search and sign up for WorkSource workshops in their My WorkSource account.  Some workshops may require staff assistance for scheduling, indicating when a customer should contact their local office instead of signing up through MyWorkSource. Once signed up for a workshop, customers can view or cancel their registration under the “My Next Steps Services & Workshops” link under the “Workshops” tab. If customers have questions, they can reach out to the WorkSource Center that is providing the workshop. Career Coaches can find the WorkSource Center contact information here.

The Oregon Employment Department (OED) also offers a workshop called Successful State Applications Workshop. Participants do not need to sign up for WorkSource to access this workshop; they use this link to register for the workshop time of their choice.

Coaches can assist participants by reviewing the workshop schedule and suggesting sessions that align with the participant’s career goals. For more information about workshops, including descriptions and times offered for WorkSource and OED workshops, see WSPM Calendars and choose the current month.

Metrix Learning is a free, comprehensive training platform for job seekers with a My WorkSource Account. It offers over 6,000 self-paced courses and supports career advancement through personalized tools and skill tracks. The Career Pathways tool recommends customized curricula to bridge skill gaps, while the curated Skill and Certification Tracks have focused content to prepare someone for industry-specific credentials. Participants can navigate the course catalog by keyword or skill category. These courses feature video lessons, audio support, and interactive assessments. As participants progress, their achievements and certifications are updated. Once they complete a course, they receive a certificate of completion. See this Metrix - Getting Started video or the Online Training by Metrix Learning and My WorkSource presentation for a brief overview of Metrix Learning and how participants can access the platform. A participant can interact with Metrix Learning in three ways: Industry certification tracks, career pathways, or skills assessments.

• Industry Certification Tracks

Metrix Learning offers Industry certification tracks to prepare job seekers for certification exams. The courses offered in Metrix Learning count towards the training requirements of the certification test, which is administered by the certifying body. For example, there are courses in Metrix Learning that teach the needed material for the Medical Billing and Coding Certification, but the test itself is administered by the National Healthcareer Association or American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
*Note: WorkSource may cover testing fees. Career Coaches should check with their WorkSource Liaison regarding eligibility and funding. 

Find screenshots on how to access the industry certification tracks within Metrix Learning here. 

• Career Pathways

The Career Pathways tool allows participants to see the specific skills employers are looking for in their chosen industry and occupation. Participants then evaluate their current knowledge and are assigned courses specifically designed to bridge their skill gap in their chosen occupation. See Metrix Learning - Career Pathways Screenshots for assistance in accessing Metrix Learning, assessing the skill gaps, and adding and completing courses. 

• Skills Assessments

Metrix Learning has over 1,000 skills assessments to prepare participants for employer-given assessments during their job-seeking process. Assessments are typically between 30 to 50 multiple-choice questions on a specific subject or skill area. You may refer to the Skills Assessment Catalog of Courses for offerings. 

Beyond WorkSource Workshops and Metrix Learning, there are a variety of community-based opportunities for skills development. See the Google Sheet below for resources on basic literacy, Adult Basic Education/GED, English as a Second Language (ESL),  computer skills, interpersonal/soft skills, and more. 

Job readiness is the soft skills, hard skills, and personal readiness skills needed for a job. These skills are important to those applying for their first jobs all the way to CEOs at top companies. Below are work readiness resources for both adults and youth to help build these job readiness skills. These resources include assessments, practice activities, modules on soft skills like communication and active listening, and more.