PCC

Emergency Messages as of 1:53 PM, Wed. Feb 11

No information currently posted.

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from PCC.

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

PCC Hosts Advancing Diversity In Manufacturing Industry Panel At OMIC R&D (Photo) - 02/10/26

SCAPPOOSE, Ore. – Portland Community College is hosting an informative panel discussion on Thursday, Feb. 19 at the OMIC R&D facility.

 

PCC's OMIC Training Center is hosting an industry roundtable and panel discussion as part of the Advancing Diversity in Manufacturing event, spotlighting how inclusive workplace cultures strengthen innovation, workforce sustainability, and long-term business success in Oregon’s manufacturing sector. The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

 

The panel will bring together leaders from labor, industry, and workforce development to share practical strategies for expanding access to manufacturing careers, developing local talent pipelines, and fostering inclusive growth across the region. Designed for employers, educators, policymakers, and community members, the discussion will focus on actionable approaches that organizations can implement to build stronger, more resilient teams.

 

The discussion will be moderated by Amy James Neel, PCC Capital Construction Workforce and Contracting Equity Manager.

The panel follows an event designed to introduce students to high-wage, high-demand manufacturing and skilled trades pathways through live demonstrations and interactive stations featuring technologies such as machining, automation, welding, robotics and digital design.

 

The industry panel and roundtable discussion will take place:

The event comes at a time when the Oregon Legislature is making mid-biennium cuts to the budgets of higher ed, including community colleges. PCC’s Lightcast-based impact analysis reports $2.3 billion in added income and 25,314 jobs supported in PCC’s primary economic region. The same study found students see about $5.10 in higher future earnings for every $1 invested in their education.

 

Community colleges are where Oregon trains the people employers cannot do without, especially in the field of advanced manufacturing. PCC’s OMIC Training Center is located at the Columbia County Center in Scappoose and is part of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) initiative to build that strong workforce pipeline for Oregon's economy. This is a partnership model that brings together industry, academia, and government to support applied R&D and workforce training for Oregon manufacturers.

 

 

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 57,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

 

For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.

 

###

Attached Media Files: Manufacturing Day at OMIC R&D,

PCC Hosts Advancing Diversity In Manufacturing Industry Panel At OMIC R&D (Photo) - 02/10/26

SCAPPOOSE, Ore. – Portland Community College is hosting an informative panel discussion on Thursday, Feb. 19 at the OMIC R&D facility.

 

PCC's OMIC Training Center is hosting an industry roundtable and panel discussion as part of the Advancing Diversity in Manufacturing event, spotlighting how inclusive workplace cultures strengthen innovation, workforce sustainability, and long-term business success in Oregon’s manufacturing sector. The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

 

The panel will bring together leaders from labor, industry, and workforce development to share practical strategies for expanding access to manufacturing careers, developing local talent pipelines, and fostering inclusive growth across the region. Designed for employers, educators, policymakers, and community members, the discussion will focus on actionable approaches that organizations can implement to build stronger, more resilient teams.

 

The discussion will be moderated by Amy James Neel, PCC Capital Construction Workforce and Contracting Equity Manager.

The panel follows an event designed to introduce students to high-wage, high-demand manufacturing and skilled trades pathways through live demonstrations and interactive stations featuring technologies such as machining, automation, welding, robotics and digital design.

 

The industry panel and roundtable discussion will take place:

The event comes at a time when the Oregon Legislature is making mid-biennium cuts to the budgets of higher ed, including community colleges. PCC’s Lightcast-based impact analysis reports $2.3 billion in added income and 25,314 jobs supported in PCC’s primary economic region. The same study found students see about $5.10 in higher future earnings for every $1 invested in their education.

 

Community colleges are where Oregon trains the people employers cannot do without, especially in the field of advanced manufacturing. PCC’s OMIC Training Center is located at the Columbia County Center in Scappoose and is part of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) initiative to build that strong workforce pipeline for Oregon's economy. This is a partnership model that brings together industry, academia, and government to support applied R&D and workforce training for Oregon manufacturers.

 

 

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 57,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

 

For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.

 

###

Attached Media Files: Manufacturing Day at OMIC R&D,