This content was published: January 29, 2007. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Job pathway available to 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 pathway into the high-tech field.
The Entry-Level High Tech Skills Training program is a free six-week course that trumpets a 90 percent hire rate for students who graduate from it. To qualify, interested students must attend any of the planned orientations through March 14. Orientations are from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 7 and 14 at the Capital Career Center (18624 N.W. Walker Road, Room 1509). Sessions are also available from 1 to 3 p.m. on Fridays, Feb. 23, and 9 to 11 a.m. on March 9 at the Forest Grove Employment and Training Center (2801 Pacific Ave.).
The classes consist of an introduction to the high tech industry; a tour of the consortium’s companies; safety on the job; 20 hours of soldering training; 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, which will be verified; conversational English skills; and possess basic math skills. Consortium members consist of Merix Corporation and Vanguard EMS. The electronic manufacturing consortium plans to hire from the pool of students completing the training.
For more information, contact Eduardo Garnica, employment specialist in PCC workforce development, at 503-992-7397.
Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon, serving approximately 88,200 full- and part-time students. For more PCC news, please visit us on the Web at www.pcc.edu/news. PCC has three comprehensive campuses, five workforce training and education centers, and 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.
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 »