This content was published: July 9, 2004. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Consortium offers high-tech training for non-native English speakers
Photos and story by James Hill
BEAVERTON, Ore. – Portland Community College and a consortium of circuit board manufacturers in Washington County are offering non-native English speakers a skills program that will allow them a pathway into the high-tech field. The Entry-Level High Tech Skills Training program is a free six-week course at Capital Career Center (18624 N.W. Walker Road). Orientations for the program will be held from July 14 through Aug. 18, with training being held Sept. 13 through Oct. 22.The classes consist of an introduction to the high tech industry; a tour of the consortium’s companies; safety on the job; communication and teamwork; an introduction to statistical process control; learning employer expectations; and reading, writing, math and basic computer skills. Training will also include job search workshops and assistance in placement after completion of the training.Individuals must be 18 years of age or older; have proper work authorization documents (documents will be verified); conversational English skills; and possess basic math skills. Consortium members include Merix Corporation, Vanguard EMS, Matsushita Electronic Materials, Inc., and Benchmark Electronics. The electronic manufacturing consortium plans to hire from the pool of students completing the training. The program will offer job-search assistance. The Entry Level High Tech Skills Training program is reporting an 80 percent hire rate for the spring class that ended in April 2004.For more information, contact Eduardo Garnica, employment specialist in PCC workforce development, at 503-533-2819.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »