Career Readiness Programs

It is free to enroll in STEP. There may be costs associated with tuition if you enroll in a certificate program, but your Student Success Specialist will work with you to find additional funding beyond the tuition assistance provided by STEP.

You must still apply for admission to LBCC and register for your classes once you have decided on a training program.

STEP participants have access to assistance for transportation for training and education-related purposes.

STEP is a voluntary program. However, if you live in a county that has a work requirement to receive SNAP you may need to meet additional requirements in order to retain your benefits.

For more information, contact Nadine Sandbo from the Oregon Employment Department at Nadine.E.SANDBO@oregon.gov or (541) 757-4261.

For those without a high school diploma or limited English proficiency, finding a job that pays the bills can be difficult. STEP can assist with the cost of GED and English language classes and testing. To find orientation dates for GED, Spanish GED, and ELA classes, review these upcoming orientation dates. When you have selected which date you would like to start, make an appointment with your Student Success Specialist to begin.

Open to adult learners 25 years and older with a GED or diploma, the Empower Program offers three free classes to help you identify education and career goals, address obstacles, help you gain computer skills used in LBCC classes, create an education plan that fits for you, and much more, all in a classroom setting with fellow peers. 

Learn more about the Empower Program »

Yes! If you are not sure what kind of job you want to pursue you can take a quiz about your personality and interests. O*Net Career Interest Profiler will assess your results and match you to exciting and rewarding careers. And, taking the Holland Code Quiz can help determine what career path(s) might work best for you.

Databases like Quality Info and the Occupational Outlook Handbook use data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Oregon Employment Department to provide the latest information about jobs that might interest you before you apply. Once you select an occupation, you can read about what career professionals do on the job, how to become qualified, and what the growth potential and wage range for that job is in your area.

There are many options for funding your education. STEP offers up to $1000 for tuition and fees, and $150 for books and supplies. Your program may cost more, so here are some resources to get started. If you need assistance with filling out any application, please schedule an appointment with your Student Success Specialist.

Start here: Many need-based scholarship applications require that you have already completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before you will be able to receive the scholarship funds. This is also the application for Pell grants, federal student loans, and the Oregon Opportunity and Oregon Promise grants.
Start Your FAFSA »

WIOA Scholarship: Community Services Consortium’s vocational scholarship offers up to $3000 for short-term training programs in Linn and Benton counties. This scholarship is funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 
Learn more and apply for the CSC WIOA Scholarship »

Linn-Benton Community College Scholarships and Grants: Need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants are available from LBCC. Some are program-specific, some are based on the level of need of the student, or both. 
Learn more and apply for LBCC Scholarships »

Oregon-specific Scholarships and Grants: You may qualify for many scholarships offered within the state of Oregon, based on where you went to high school, where you parents worked, your household composition, your major, your interests, and many other categories. Fill out one application to apply for hundreds of scholarships through this database.
Learn more and apply for Oregon Scholarships and Grants »

Scholarships for Immigrant Students: World Education Services provides a scholarship-finding tool that searches databases for scholarships based on the student’s home country.
Find World Education Scholarships »

Additional Scholarships: FastWeb is a database of scholarships from private and public organizations, employers, individuals, and non-profits from all over the US. There are thousands of scholarships available, some with unique application processes (making a video that shows how to fix something, writing an essay that describes your love of coffee, even answering quiz questions about geography and movies). Create a profile to see what scholarships you might be able to receive.
View FastWeb’s database of scholarships »

Students who are not eligible for federal financial aid may still be eligible to file the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) for college funding. By filling out the ORSAA Questionnaire, you can find out which financial aid application you should file and steps you can take to become eligible.
Learn more and fill out the ORSAA Questionnaire »

Were you educated outside of the United States? Use these tools from World Education Services to find out how your credentials compare in the US.
Use these Degree and GPA Equivalency Tools »

Upwardly Global helps work-authorized immigrants, refugees, asylees, and Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVs) restart their professional careers in the United States. Register to get access to resources for licensure, job search and more.
Learn more about Upwardly Global »

STEP can assist with the cost of GED and English language classes and testing.  
Find an upcoming orientation date for GED, Spanish GED, and ELA classes. »

Many of the Healthcare Occupations training programs require an American Heart Association-recognized BLS/CPR certification to be considered for admission. Linn-Benton offers this one-day class on the first Saturday of each month, except for January, at the Healthcare Occupations Center in Lebanon. STEP participants can receive financial assistance for this class if it is necessary to enter a program.

To register, contact Autumn Leach at (541) 917-4840 or by email at leacha@linnbenton.edu. 

Most jobs now require an online application as well as an attached resume and cover letter. STEP offers assistance with creating, proofreading, updating, and feedback on written materials for job applications, as well as knowing what to expect in the interview and how to make a good first impression. We also offer mock interviews that will provide you with feedback ahead of time, so that you can make sure to make a good first impression and have a better chance at getting a call back from the employer.

Complete or update an iMatchSkills profile and/or study and register for the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).

iMatchSkills matches current, local job openings to the profile you create so that you can find job listings that correspond to your skills, experience, and interest. An iMatchSkills account is the first step to enrolling in STEP, as well as registering for workshops for job seekers (including the NCRC) at your local Worksource Oregon office. 

If you already have an account, log in with your username and password and make sure that your information is current. If not, click on “Create an Account” and follow the instructions. Once you have created a profile and logged in, you can study for the NCRC by clicking the link that says “Work-Related Skills Review” under the Resources and Services heading.

Visit the iMatchSkills Register/Login page to get started » 

Yes! The Roadrunner Resource Center allows you to complete a quick profile to discover benefits and resources in your area.

You can also meet with an LBCC Resource Navigator to find ways to afford:

• Childcare
• Groceries
• Rent
• Healthcare
• Utilities

For more information, email singlestopatlbcc@linnbenton.edu.

The easiest way to find exactly what kind of help you need in your area is to dial 211 on your phone, or go to 211info.org and use the Search Engine function. There, you can enter your location and other information, and then click on the service you need to see a list of contact information for organizations that provide that assistance.
Access the 211 Resource Search Engine »

Also on 211’s website is Oregon Helps!, a prescreening device that can tell you what kinds of public programs (for paying bills, housing, funding childcare, and other resources) you may qualify for based on the information you provide about your income and household. 
Learn more about Oregon Helps! »

Community Services Consortium has compiled a Resource Guide, a handbook of phone numbers, addresses, and websites for hundreds of organizations that provide assistance of all kinds in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties.
View the complete guide CSC Resource Guide »

Don’t hesitate to contact your Student Success Specialist for referrals.

For information about placement testing, including hours, how to schedule your test, and sample test questions, review this Placement Testing information.