There is a new program in town [1], at Portland Community College.
Halton CAT, of Portland, is one of six regional Caterpillar dealerships [2] 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