С��è��ý

С��è��ý, partners dig into new era for training in Columbia County

Photos and story by James Hill

History was made in Columbia County. Last month, С��è��ý officially broke ground on its first permanent training center in the region.

С��è��ý President Mark Mitsui and the college’s elected Board of Directors hosted a ceremony and groundbreaking at the future site of its Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) Training Center, located at 33701 Charles T. Parker Way in Scappoose. Sen. Betsy Johnson and Rep. Brad Witt were among the many state legislators present, in addition to Scappoose Mayor Scott Burge, OMIC R&D Executive Director Craig Campbell, and several other dignitaries.

С��è��ý has offered a variety of courses and programs in Columbia County over the years. It has developed a longstanding, successful welding program partnership with St. Helens High School, and in alliance with Scappoose High School the college has begun offering two apprenticeships there. But this is the first time С��è��ý will have a dedicated facility in the region.

“This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the college’s history and a permanent presence in Columbia County,” Mitsui said. “Today’s groundbreaking really symbolizes a commitment to partnership, to educate and train the next generation, create career opportunities in the community, and provide Oregon’s manufacturing sector with a world class workforce that it needs.”

С��è��ý is constructing its training center on 17 acres as part of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center campus. Slated to open early 2021, С��è��ý’s OMIC Training Center will prepare the next generation of skilled workers through an innovative apprenticeship model and will expand on existing educational opportunities in Columbia County. The construction is funded by the 2008 voter-approved С��è��ý bond measure.

“This facility can have a profound impact not only on the people’s lives here in Columbia County and Oregon, but worldwide,” said Sen. Johnson. “It is an opportunity for С��è��ý to take its place on a much larger stage.”

The center will be a hub for advanced manufacturing training, including Machining, Computer Numerically Controlled Operation, Welding and Mechatronics, complementing OMIC’s R&D work. Programming will be based on an apprenticeship model in order for students to develop industry-aligned skills. In addition, С��è��ý will provide career-technical education and other courses as needed by the community.

“Our presence here opens up a new chapter for С��è��ý, one that has been a long time coming,” added С��è��ý Executive Vice President Sylvia Kelley.

What They Said:

“This is a truly glorious day,” said Rep. Brad Witt. “Not only for Scappoose, but for our entire region. I think this holds hope for an entirely new approach to the way that we deal with education and training, not only locally, but across our nation.”

“I’m really excited to have a community college in our community,” said Scappoose Mayor Scott Burge. “It is transformational, and it’s going to change everything in the city. We’re looking forward to it.”

“We have the right property, we have the right location, we have the right project, and we have the right partners,” said Linda Degman, director of С��è��ý’s Planning & Capital Construction division. “I know it’s taken time to get here, but when it’s right, it’s right.”

“This creative collaboration is critically important when you have an organization like OMIC R&D, which is developing new techniques,” said Craig Campbell, executive director of OMIC R&D. “С��è��ý’s training center is going to be training young people who are going to be able to go into the workplace, learn skills and equip themselves so that they can not only fill the jobs of today, but develop skills throughout their careers as manufacturing techniques change.”