This content was published: June 20, 2008. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
ESOL manufacturing training for non-native English speakers
Photos and story by James Hill
Portland Community College and a consortium of circuit board manufacturers in Washington and Multnomah counties are offering non-native English speakers a skills training program that will allow them a pathway into the high-tech field.
The electronic manufacturing consortium of Merix Corp., Vanguard EMS, Axiom Electronics and Precision Wire Components plans to hire from the pool of students completing the training, which has a 90 percent hire rate.
The Entry-Level High Tech Skills Training program is a free, seven-week course at Capital Career Center (18624 N.W. Walker Road). Those interested in the training, which will be held from Aug. 18 through Oct. 3, must attend one of the following orientation sessions:
• Capital Career Center (Room 1509) – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., July 2, 18 and 30.
• Hillsboro Worksource Portland Metro (265 SE Oak St., Suite A) – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., July 9 and 23.
• Tualatin Worksource Portland Metro (7995A SW Mohawk St.) – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., July 11, 16 and 25.
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 also will include job search workshops and assistance in placement after completion of the training. Individuals must be 18 or older; have proper work authorization documents (documents will be verified); conversational English skills; and possess basic math skills.
For more information, contact employment specialists Eduardo Garnica at (503) 992-7397, or Luis Rodriguez at (503) 612-4253.
Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon, serving approximately 86,700 full- and part-time students. It is also one of the top-20 largest employers in the Portland metro area. 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 »