Area residents have access to four different community colleges within 30 minutes of Oregon. In addition to traditional associate degree programs, each of these colleges provides adult learning opportunities and workforce training to ensure that employees have opportunities to improve their skills to keep ahead of the changing demands in the workplace.
Highland Community College
2998 W Pearl City Road, Freeport, IL 61032
Kishwaukee College
21193 Malta Road, Malta, IL 60150
Rock Valley College
3301 N Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61114
Sauk Valley Community College
173 Illinois Route 2, Dixon, IL 61021
For those seeking employment or job search support, the Business Employment Skills Team (BEST), Inc. has a regional office in Oregon. BEST is a non-profit agency that administers federally-funded programs such as Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), the focus of which is assisting adults and youth with gaining meaningful employment through training, job search assistance, and work experience.
BEST also helps local companies thrive in today’s complex, competitive, and ever-changing economy. Their professional staff meet with employers onsite to assess their needs and determine an appropriate implementation plan to meet those needs. BEST can also assist companies with training their existing workforce through their Incumbent Worker Training Program and eligible new hires through a reimbursement of a percentage of wages through their On-the-Job Training Program. If a company is interested in established a Registered Apprenticeship program, or Registered Youth Apprenticeship program, BEST can also assist in connect Ogle County companies with the appropriate Apprenticeship Navigator and the US Department of Labor Apprenticeship Office.