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SCAPPOOSE, Ore. – Regional industry, education, and workforce development partners are collaborating to host “Manufacturing Day” as part of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) initiative in Columbia County.
The second annual event, which is part of the national MFG Day effort, will feature live demonstrations of 3D printing, laser cutting, and virtual welding, as well as engaging hands-on activities. This event provides regional students and community members an opportunity to learn about the world of advanced manufacturing at a world-class R&D facility and will include exhibitor booths for more than 25 local companies and educational institutions, including Mitsubishi Materials, Selway Machine Tool, Silver Eagle Manufacturing and Walter Tools.
“We are going to have the opportunity to share the world of manufacturing with as many as 300 high school students at OMIC R&D,” said Craig Campbell, executive director of OMIC R&D. “It is truly exciting to see the eyes of these bright young minds light up as they see the world of the possible.”
Manufacturing Day will be open to the public from 3-6 p.m, on Friday, Oct. 4 at the OMIC Research and Development Center (33701 Charles T. Parker Way). Earlier in the day, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., a steady stream of students from a variety of K-12 partners will visit and partake in the activities.
The event showcases the vision and programs of OMIC, including plans for its workforce training center led by Portland Community College, while regional manufacturing partners will describe their companies’ work and career opportunities. Special guests will include Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson.
Manufacturing Day is a community collaboration that is a result of the robust partnerships between OMIC R&D and PCC, and a group of cross-sector community partners. The planning committee includes representatives from St Helens and Scappoose high schools, NW STEM Hub, Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD), Rightline Equipment, Oregon Aero, Rescare, and Northwest Oregon Works.
“PCC is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s event, which shines the light on the manufacturing industry, as well as education and career opportunities in Oregon,” said Andrew Lattanner, PCC’s newly appointed director of the training center. “OMIC will be transformational for Columbia County, and the future training center will provide workers with the classroom and on-the-job learning they need to fill high-demand, good paying jobs.”
The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available on site.
Last year, more than 230 local high school students met with 25 vendors and partners at interactive booths at the OMIC R&D facility.
The presenting sponsor of this year's event is Boeing, and other sponsors include, Madden Industrial Craftsman, Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Mahr, PCC Foundation, Seco Tools, Rightline, and State Sen. Betsy Johnson. Among the vendors participating in the event include Blount, Daimler, Evraz, Letica, Oregon Aero, Silver Eagle and Sport Copter.
About OMIC Research and Development:
OMIC R&D is a world-class collaborative environment bringing together industry, higher education and government in partnership to develop new tools, techniques and technologies to address near-term manufacturing challenges through applied research and advanced technical training. For more information, visit www.OMIC.us
About the OMIC Training Center:
Portland Community College is designing a Training Center of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing to train Oregon's next generation of the workforce. And with industry need for skilled workers at an all-time high, the arrival of the training center – part of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) – is perfectly timed.
The training center will offer PCC a permanent home base in Columbia County. Focused on advanced manufacturing, the center will house such programs as Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Operation, Machining, Industrial Fabrication and Mechatronics. Working in close collaboration with industry and higher education partners, PCC's training center can help close the skills gap by offering training that combines work-based experience (on-the-job training) with classroom and lab instruction, in an innovative apprenticeship model. Students can complete an apprenticeship program, and/or an associate degree or certificate leading to an advanced degree. Emphasis will be placed on craftsmanship, professionalism, and placing graduates into high-wage, high-demand advanced manufacturing jobs – a sector whose future looks very bright in Oregon.