The six community colleges in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington have a major commitment to preparing a skilled manufacturing workforce to support growth of the regional economy. Collectively they enroll over 12, 500 students annually in a wide range of manufacturing programs and provide state-of-the-art education and training to manufacturers and workers at over twenty campus and training center locations. The colleges offer multiple credentials, including industry certifications, short-term training, less-than-one-year and one-year certificate and two-year associate of science (AAS) degrees.

For a profile of each college and their manufacturing resources, click below:

• Chemeketa Community College (OR)
• Clackamas Community College (OR)
• Clark College (WA)
• Lower Columbia College (WA)
• Mt Hood Community College (OR)
• Portland Community College (OR)

 

The REGIONAL ROADMAP FOR MANUFACTURING PROGRAMS provides a user-friendly visual of all program offerings across the six colleges. It illustrates five primary career pathways: Bioscience, Drafting and Design/CAD, Electronics, Production/Process Technology, and Sustainability/Green/Renewable Energy. It shows how individuals can access and navigate a comprehensive system of career development opportunities in advanced manufacturing across institutions.In addition, they conduct approved classroom components for a variety of industrial apprenticeship programs, including Manufacturing Plant Electrician, Limited Maintenance Electrician, and Stationary Engineers.

HOW TO ACCESS THE REGIONAL ROADMAP FOR MANUFACTURING PROGRAMS:

Click here for a graphic overview of the roadmap

Click here for an interactive tool that links college programs with additional training and occupational information.

To address workforce development, the colleges provide manufacturing core/foundation skills, manufacturing "bridge" programs to assist adults with academic skill deficiencies, and VESL (Vocational English as a Second Language) for immigrant populations. All of these programs are highly contextualized, and stress extensive hands-on, applied learning that integrates theory and lab-based instruction.

The regional community colleges employ subject matter experts in all specialized fields. Both regular and adjunct faculty members have significant industry experience in their specific fields as well as having reached high academic and teach milestones. All faculty members are all highly experienced in the technical education of adults and posses a diverse knowledge of the manufacturing-related fields.

In addition, all six colleges:

• Offer a wide range of specialized expertise, facilities, and equipment
• Have partnerships with area high schools and four-year colleges to develop a talent pipeline in manufacturing and seamless career pathways between secondary and post-secondary learning experiences; and
• Operate Business and Industry customized training unites that work directly with manufacturers to develop programs delivered in a variety of formats to meet employer workforce needs.