Think Big

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There is a new program in town, at Portland Community College.

Halton CAT, of Portland, is one of six regional Caterpillar dealerships stretching the region from Montana, to Eugene, and up to Alaska who are partnering with PCC to provide a Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician Program.

Sam was on hand to join PCC RockNew CAT Service Technology Program at PCC, partners with Industry Creek President Katherine Persson in welcoming the first set of students and to honor the sponsors. Sue Halton, Vice-president of Halton Company on N.E. Columbia Blvd. represented Halton Co. as one of the sponsors whose contributions and committment to the success of the project has been key in establishing the program.

Students who apply, are selected, and complete the program will earn an Associate of of Applied Science degree. They will spend about half of the time on their technical and academic education at Portland Community College. The other half of the time, the students will work at on -the-job interships at one of the sponsoring dealers. The program will involve a rotating cycles: 10 weeks of classes, followed by 10 weeks of internship experience, throughout the 2 year program. And the internship wage they earn is enough to live on, and pay for school.

Those who complete the program can expect excellent pay, stable employment, and good benefits. This is an excellent example of a public/private partnership that contributes to strong communities today and looks to the future for individual businesses, the industry, well prepared employees, and a generally strong workforce.

For more information on ThinkBIG go to http://www.haltonco.com/Product%20Support/Technical%20Services/Think%20Big/product_support_techserv_thinkbig.htm

Jane Ames's recent posts | Print this page

Posted Sun, 10/01/2006 - 5:01pm.

Can you believe that the

Submitted by Lenny Anderson on Mon, 10/02/2006 - 2:11pm.

Can you believe that the Shipyards on Swan Island have had to bring welders from Uruguay? We need a broad cooperative initiative between PCC and the metals industry to fill this gap.
Value added manufacturing needs skilled operators and innovative engineers to survive in the global economy. More investment in education is our path to the future. Sam should relax on the transportation front.

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No surprise

Submitted by mmmarvel on Tue, 10/03/2006 - 4:45am.

Per Lenny's comment - no, those of us who are in the trades are NOT surprised by the import of welders. We are not surprised by the influx of all sorts of foreign workers doing trade jobs. The liberal agenda has taken us to a "my child is going to college" mindset (regardless of what his or her future employment might be) and severely crushed programs that help a child move towards a trade. Couple that with the severe lack of responsibility that is given to kids in school and you get a work force that isn't ready for much beyond artsy stuff and/or lacks the work ethic (show up on time every day, do what's asked of you without complaining, etc.) and yes, the trades are hurting for good help.

(humor mode on)
Actually I'm surprised that PCC's program is noted in Sam's blog - it is a program that supports 'fossil fuel' vehicles. It should have been demonized instead of lauded, for shame Sam, for shame.

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