East Cascades Works

What East Cascades Works does

East Cascades Works (EC Works) is a private nonprofit organization designated as a Local Workforce Development Board under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It coordinates publicly funded workforce development services across multiple counties in Oregon's East Cascades region, serving job seekers, youth, incumbent workers, justice-involved individuals, and employer partners through a portfolio of programs including Youth Compass, Talent Hub, Adult Services, a statewide Reentry program operating in 12 Oregon Department of Corrections facilities, and Business Response Networks. EC Works functions as the regional convener for workforce strategy, coordinating with community colleges, Oregon DOC, regional tribes, and local employers.

The organization delivers services through seven WorkSource centers operated by sub-recipient partners, alongside direct program operations supported by a lean staff of approximately 10-12 personnel. Its technology stack centers on the GradLeaders platform for participant case management and the iMatchSkills portal for job matching — commodity tools typical of WIOA-administered boards, oriented to compliance reporting and standardized service delivery rather than differentiated capability.

EC Works is funded primarily through federal WIOA Title I grants, with annual grant funding of approximately $5.12 million covering Program Year 2026-2027 (Title I ~$4.89M, DOL grants $131,370, scholarships $92,758, Sunrise partner program $10,000). The revenue model is grant-based and largely determined by multi-year federal and state appropriations; service delivery at the WorkSource centers is executed through contracted sub-recipients. The board pursues geographic expansion (Lake County, July 2026), vertical expansion (statewide corrections reentry), and employer engagement as its principal growth vectors, without evidence of commercial revenue or fee-for-service diversification.

Name

East Cascades Works

Legal name

East Cascades Works

Website

https://eastcascadesworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

East Cascades Works is an Oregon nonprofit Local Workforce Development Board coordinating WIOA-funded workforce services across the East Cascades region. It serves job seekers, youth, and justice-involved individuals through employer partnerships, seven WorkSource centers, and a statewide reentry program in 12 prisons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Services (5613), Administration of Human Resource Programs (except Education, Public Health, and Veterans' Affairs Programs) (92313)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs (EDAAAOAF), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• WIOA adult youth programs
• Reentry employment services
• Employer workforce solutions
• Career training placement

Headquarters

HQ city

Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Funding: Primary funding through WIOA Title I formula funds for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs. Funds administered by Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
2. U.S. Department of Labor Grants: Reentry Program funded by DOL Pathways Home 4 grant ($131,370); Critical Sector Job Quality Grant ($92,758); Title I Youth/Adult/Dislocated Worker/Rapid Response ($4,889,561)
3. One-Stop Operator Funding: $10,000 (100% federal) for One-Stop Operator services provided by Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

East Cascades Works is the designated Local Workforce Development Board for the East Cascades region of Oregon, delivering free WIOA-funded workforce development services across 10 counties. It operates WorkSource centers providing career exploration, training, supportive services, and job placement for youth and adults (including a statewide prison-based reentry program), and offers employer services such as talent recruitment, customized training, Employee Advancement Grants, layoff aversion, and industry sector partnerships in Construction, Healthcare, and Manufacturing.

Product overview

East Cascades Works is a workforce development board offering a portfolio of programs organized around three customer segments: Youth (Youth Compass Program, Talent Hub, Youth Career Connect), Adults (WorkSource Oregon Adult Services, WorkSource Oregon Reentry, Work Ready), and Business Services (Business Response Networks, Employee Advancement Grants, Industry Sectors, Rapid Response/Layoff Support). The organization operates as a coordinator of workforce services, bringing together government agencies, educational institutions, and community partners to connect job seekers with employment and training opportunities while serving employer talent needs across 10 counties in eastern Oregon.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Compass Program A WIOA Youth program serving youth ages 16-24 who face barriers to education, work, or career success. Provides career exploration, education support, GED preparation, paid/unpaid work experiences, occupational skills training, mentorship, leadership development, and job placement assistance through regional partnerships.
• Talent Hub A platform led by East Cascades Works in collaboration with partners, connecting employers with young talent for internships, job shadows, and on-the-job learning experiences. The platform includes support personnel to facilitate connections between employers and emerging talent and is built on GradLeaders technology.
• Youth Career Connect (YCC) A program bringing together Central Oregon High Schools, local businesses, COIC, and East Cascades Works to empower young individuals to kickstart their careers while enabling employers to train and build future workforce.
• WorkSource Oregon Adult Services The foundation of Oregon's public workforce system, predominantly funded through WIOA. Provides employment and training services including career services, training opportunities, and employer connections through WorkSource Centers operated by partner agencies.
• WorkSource Oregon Reentry Program embedding American Job Centers inside Oregon state prisons, providing workforce services to adults in custody 20-180 days prior to release. Includes employment planning, career exploration, resume development, interview preparation, and post-release community-based case management across all 12 Oregon DOC prisons.
• Work Ready A WorkSource work-ready program identifying and promoting VIP job seekers directly to employers. Helps job seekers create profiles in iMatchSkills, design resumes, understand employer-desired skills, prepare for interviews, and achieve career objectives.
• Business Response Networks (BRNs) Three regional networks (North Oregon BRN, Central Oregon BRN, South Central Oregon BRN) aligning local business support partners to streamline outreach, reduce barriers, and respond to workforce and operational needs of employers. Provides talent recruitment, employee retention, business operations, and market analysis support.
• Employee Advancement Grants A funding opportunity for employers to support training for their current workforce. EC Works funds applications that present opportunities to build and maintain quality workforce while creating new employment opportunities.
• Industry Sectors Focus areas in Construction, Healthcare, and Manufacturing sectors. Supports industry-driven partnerships addressing workforce and competitiveness needs through Next Generation Sector Partnerships connecting businesses with education, workforce development, and economic development organizations.
• Rapid Response & Layoff Support Critical support system helping businesses and workers manage layoffs, prevent job loss, and support career transitions. Includes Rapid Response services, Work Share program, and connections to community resources.
• WorkSource Lakeview Direct WIOA Title 1 services for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs in Lake County beginning July 1, 2026. Provides career services, training, and employment support at 223 N F St, Lakeview, OR 97630.

Quantifiable outcome

• 66% employment rate Q2 after exit for reentry program participants
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 July 2025Provides One-Stop-Operator Services throughout the East Cascades Workforce Region in accordance with WIOA. Selected through competitive procurement process for Program Year 2025 with option to renew annually for three years.
• Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerService provider for WIOA Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker services in Central Sub-Region (Crook, Jefferson, Deschutes counties) and Youth services. Also provides Youth Employment Counseling.
• Columbia Gorge Community CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerService provider for WIOA Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker services in Northern Sub-Region (Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler counties) and Adult Basic Skills/GED services.
• Klamath CountycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerService provider for WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker services in Southern Sub-Region (Klamath and Lake counties) through direct services waiver.
• Oregon Employment DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in WorkSource Oregon statewide system providing employment services and workforce data.
• Oregon Department of Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Self Sufficiency Program and Vocational Rehabilitation services through WorkSource centers.
• Oregon Commission for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing specialized employment services for blind individuals through WorkSource system.
• Oregon Workforce PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide association of workforce boards; administers DOL grants including Pathways Home 4 Reentry program funding. EC Works is a proud member.
• Central Oregon Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Adult Basic Skills/GED services and serves on Central Oregon Workforce Consortium representing Deschutes County.
• Klamath Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Adult Basic Skills/GED services and workforce education in Klamath Falls area.
• Oregon Department of CorrectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in WorkSource Oregon Reentry Program, enabling workforce services inside state prisons. EC Works designed and launched pilot program at Deer Ridge and Warner Creek facilities.
• Confederated Tribes of Warm SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two sovereign tribal nations served in the 10-county East Cascades region.
• Klamath TribescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two sovereign tribal nations served in the 10-county East Cascades region.
• North Oregon Business Response Network PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 21 partners including Bureau of Labor & Industries, Business Oregon, Columbia Gorge Health Council, Easterseals Oregon, Gorge Tech Alliance, Latino Network, SBDC, and others supporting employers in Columbia River Gorge region.
• Central Oregon Business Response Network PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of partners including Bend Chamber, COCC, EDCO, City of Bend, Latino Community Association, and regional chambers supporting Central Oregon employers.
• South Central Oregon Business Response Network PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of partners including Choose Klamath, Klamath Community College, Klamath County Chamber, Lake County Chamber, and economic development districts supporting Klamath Basin employers.
• Central Oregon Behavioral Health Consortium (COBHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvened by East Cascades Works, committed to developing competent, culturally sensitive, and curious behavioral health providers through community training and supervision consultation.
• WorkSource OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide partnership of state agencies, nonprofits, and community colleges providing workforce services under the WorkSource Oregon brand.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Worksystems Inc: Workforce development board serving Portland metro and Multnomah/Washington counties under WIOA Title I. Direct peer in Oregon's public workforce system with comparable employer services, WorkSource centers, and federal funding structure.
• Lane Workforce Partnership: WIOA-designated workforce development board for Lane County, Oregon. Direct peer operating WorkSource Centers with parallel youth, adult, and business service programs in a similar regional footprint.
• Clackamas Workforce Partnership: Local workforce development board for Clackamas County under WIOA. Direct peer offering WorkSource Oregon adult/youth/dislocated worker services with same funding mechanisms and partner delivery model.
• Rogue Workforce Development Board: WIOA workforce development board serving Jackson and Josephine counties in southern Oregon. Comparable rural/mixed geography peer with similar employer services and WorkSource center model.

Emerging players

• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training and career placement for young adults facing barriers to employment. Comparable youth-focused mission and employer-partnership model, though operating as a direct service provider rather than a convener.

Others

• Oregon Department of Corrections: State agency partner hosting WorkSource Oregon Reentry American Job Centers inside its 12 prisons. Not a competitor but a critical institutional partner enabling EC Works' flagship reentry program.
• Central Oregon Community College: Community college partner providing Adult Basic Skills/GED and serving on the Central Oregon Workforce Consortium. Not a competitor but a co-deliverer of workforce training within the same region.
• Oregon Workforce Partnership: Statewide association of Oregon's local workforce development boards, of which EC Works is a member. Not a competitor but an umbrella body that administers select federal pass-through grants (e.g., DOL Pathways Home 4) to member boards.

Regional players

• Workforce Southwest Washington: WIOA workforce development board serving the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area across the Columbia River. Adjacent peer with identical statutory mandate and program mix; useful for benchmarking service delivery and outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating workforce development, reentry, and job placement programs across the U.S. Operates at much larger scale with overlapping mission of serving job seekers with barriers to employment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeKAyyxb7ArQpq7gCwzEphA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/east-cascades-works

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about East Cascades Works