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PCC training center receives $300,000 grant

Portland Community College has been awarded a $300,000 grant for the Next Generation Machine Manufacturing (Next Gen MMT) Technology initiative.

The project is one of 42 that the Higher Education Coordinating Commission awarded in the first round of $10 million Future Ready Oregon Workforce Ready grants.

These projects are focused on encouraging innovation and removing barriers to job training and education for historically underserved and marginalized populations.

The Next Gen MMT project is a collaboration between the PCC’s Opportunity Centers, the Machine Manufacturing Technology Program, OMIC Training Center in Scappoose, as well as many communitybased organizations and industry partners. The project supports communities of color and low-income populations by improving awareness of and expanding access to industryaligned training. The aim is to have participants follow ca -

reer pathways that lead to high-demand, good-paying jobs in manufacturing with a focus on machine manufacturing training. The Oregon Employment Department forecasts that machinist employment in the Portland area will grow 10.9% through 2027 and

the average annual salary being nearly $60,000.

PCC Opportunity Centers – located at the Willow Creek and Portland Metro Workforce Training centers – will collaborate with partners Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Central City Con -

cern, Centro Cultural and Native American Youth and Family Center. These centers are hubs for workforce development that connect people, employers, and community partners.

“They will be engaging their participants in the career and college prep

courses at the Opportunity Centers and gathering feedback about their experiences,” PCC Community Workforce Development Dean Pam Hester said.

“We’ll use that feedback to ensure our programs are welcoming, reflective of the communities we serve,

and effectively prepare

people to transform their lives through education and living wage careers, especially in manufacturing.”

The PCC OMIC Training Center, located in Columbia County, provides access to academic, workforce training, community enrichment programs and support services. The center works with regional manufacturing and manufacturing-aligned partners to develop a skilled workforce that meets the needs of students, employers, and the community.

“With advancements in manufacturing technology, there is a growing need for trained manufacturing professionals,” OMIC Training Center Director Patty Hawkins said. “The center helps new students and adults enter these exciting, well-paying, in-demand careers with career training, certifications, and job search support. The newly built, state-of-the-art training facility also has the latest equipment and technology and flexible learning options that will work for students. There are opportunities to learn advanced trades like manufacturing, welding, and technical design.”

Local Legion seeking community assistance

Clatskanie business, FINS Custom Tackle and Cafe, have volunteered to host fundraisers to defray the cost of the Legion’s storage shed.

Members of the Oregon American Legion Post 68 in Clatskanie are asking for the community’s help.

The business will be raffling off fishing trips and fishing equipment. The post has also opened up an account at Umpqua Bank where people can donate. Contributions can also be submitted to the Legion headquarters at 930 NE 5th Street in Clatskanie.

With the help of the community, we can continue to improve our landmark American Legion Post which has stood since December 1919, the Clatskanie American Legion Facebook post states.

About the American Legion

The need

They are seeking support to help build a storage shed to house the Legion’s essential landscaping equipment.

“With the cost increases of various things, including building materials, we have been unable to raise the funds for such a project,” Clatskaine American Legion member Lucas Young said. The operators of

The American Legion motto is Veterans Strengthening America, with principles that state “A Veteran is a Veteran,” meaning the legion embraces all current and former members of the military.

Post 68 has been in service for more than a hundred years, meeting various needs of service members.

The American Legion Post is a landmark in Clatskanie, hosting Bingo games, spaghetti dinners and dances. But it is best known for its members, the veterans who served their

country proudly. The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veteran’s organizations. It is the largest wartime veterans service organization with close to 2 million members and more than 12,000 posts throughout the U.S. The legion has evolved from a group of war weary veterans of World War I to one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States, according to www. legion.org.

The American Legion was founded on four pillars:

• Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation

• National Security

• Americanism

• Children and Youth

Each pillar encompasses a variety of programs.

Post commander Gerry Simmons became a member in an interesting way.

“My mother signed me up for the American Legion when I was in boot camp,” Simmons said. “I didn’t know I was a member until I got home from the service!”

Community benefit

According to Simmons, the legion is beneficial to veterans for many reasons, including continuing the friendships the members established while in the service.

“We developed a camaraderie with our fellow soldiers, and wanted to see and hear from them when we arrived home,” Simmons said.

Young is one of the younger members in the legion.

“I have been trying to recruit the younger generation to become involved in the Legion,” Young said. “Members of the legion must be willing to adapt, to become tech savvy. It can be very enjoyable to learn new ways to communicate.”

Young emphasized the need for more of a social media presence for the local Legion. He has established a Facebook page for Post 68 which he updates regularly. The Legion has events coming up, which will be posted on that Facebook page.

Courtesy photo

PCC OMIC Training Center, located in Scappoose, provides access to academic, workforce training, community enrichment programs and support services.

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