7/18/2022 6:45 a.m. 

High school students in Douglas County can soon earn college credit and sample a career of their choosing with Umpqua Community College’s new Friday Career Academy program set to launch this fall.

A UCC release said through community partnerships, including with local school districts, nearly $492,000 in grant money will be distributed over three years from the Ford Family Foundation, with additional support from the Oregon Strategic Innovation Grant, enabling UCC to make this program available to students.

The Friday Career Academy is set to offer three unique curriculum programs that will give students the opportunity to spend all day on Fridays on-campus at UCC. Depending on their interests, participants can either get a jumpstart on high-demand automotive and medical industry jobs or explore their passion for the arts. Current program offerings include automotive, emergency medical technician and theatre.

The release said many schools in the county have a four-day school week with Fridays off. This gives an opportunity for youth to engage early in college education and get a jumpstart on a career. In addition, the program will also be open to students who usually have school on Fridays. Area high schools have agreed to work with students to incorporate these programs into their planned schedules.

For more information on the program, go to: https://www.umpqua.edu/career-academy.

Students interested in the program should speak with their high school guidance counselor.