ROSEBURG, Ore., Nov. 27, 2024 – Umpqua Community College has been awarded a $500,000 Manufacturing Workforce Ready Grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. This grant supports the Career Ready Umpqua initiative. UCC received a notice of award on Oct. 10 to prepare rural students for careers in advanced manufacturing.
The grant will support the collaboration between UCC and local manufacturers and partners, including Orenco Systems, Con-Vey, Roseburg Forest Products, North River Boats and Roseburg Public Schools. Students from all grade levels through 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 focused academic programs of mechatronics, engineering, welding, and forestry.
“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,” said Danielle Haskett, dean of instruction.
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 Oregon’s economic competitiveness by removing barriers to education and employment, developing a diverse workforce, and supporting businesses’ needs for employees today and into the future.
