December 2, 2024 3:40 a.m. 

Umpqua Community College has been awarded a $500,000 Manufacturing Workforce Ready Grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

A UCC release said this grant supports the Career Ready Umpqua Initiative. UCC received a notice of the award in October to prepare rural students for careers in advanced manufacturing.

The grant will support the collaboration between the college and local manufacturers and partners. That includes Orenco Systems, Con-Vey, Roseburg Forest Products and Roseburg Public Schools. Students from all grade levels though college will have opportunities to take part in professional skills workshops, scholarships, mentorships, competitive paid internships and workplace tours. The program aims to serve at least 100 students from rural and low-income communities within the focused academic programs of mechatronics, engineering welding and forestry.

UCC Dean of Instruction Danielle Haskett said, “Students will have clearer, well-supported pipelines from education to manufacturing workforce, in which they can earn family-supporting wages and contribute to one of the largest industries in Oregon”.

The release said the grant is part of a $200 million investment in education and training to advance a more equitable workforce system and increase opportunities for diverse workers, developed from an Oregon Senate bill named the Future Ready Oregon.  Future Ready Oregon aims to strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness by removing barriers to education and employment, developing a diverse workforce, and supporting business’ needs for employees today and into the future.