This content was published: November 28, 2005. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Governor, ODOT award PCC Skill Center $150,000
Photos and story by James Hill
Gov. Ted Kulongoski visited PCC on Monday, Nov. 28 and presented a $150,000 workforce training grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation to the Cascade Campus Skill Center in the Technology Education Building. 
The money will assist the Skill Center in diversifying the transportation industry by increasing training and apprenticeship opportunities for women and minorities interested in pursuing careers in heavy highway construction. The Oregon Department of Transportation will work with PCC’s Cascade Campus to improve community outreach, supportive services, basic skills, and training in highway construction skills."This will develop opportunities for students at PCC," said Kulongoski. "And it’s very important to the economic development for all of Oregon."The event featured remarks by Kulongoski; Cascade Campus President Algie Gatewood; Executive Director-Highway Division of the Oregon Department of Transportation John Jackley, State Sen. Margaret Carter; State Rep. Chip Shields; Cascade Student Body President Leah Gibson; and Director of Institutional Advancement David Goldberg.
The Governor also thanked Algie Gatewood, Cascade Campus president, and State Sen. Margaret Carter for working to make the PCC Skill Center a success in the community."Margaret Carter is such a champion of the PCC Skill Center," he said. "Today is a day she can take great pride in."The Skill Center will identify potential workers and providing them with the bridging skills they need to move on to sustainable careers and family wage construction jobs. The specific agreement with PCC is to implement an education, skills, and transportation linkage program through ODOT that bridges the gap between individuals who may lack foundation and technical skills for transportation construction related trades and affiliated workforce needs with transportation projects within the region."This is a really big day for PCC, the Cascade Campus and for the Skill Center," Gatewood commented. "This is a special day in the history of this campus and I’ll remember it as long as I live. This check represents a credit to the Skill Center and the partnership, commitment and especially to the Governor, Sen. Carter, Rep. Shields and all the others who have made this possible."
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 »