Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Strategic Partner Toolkit

Welcome to the PCC OMIC Training Center Strategic Partner Toolkit. These materials are designed for industry partners, workforce professionals, and community stakeholders. You are welcome to print, share, or link to any resources on this page.

Overview

The Portland Community College (PCC) Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) Training Center is a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility located in Scappoose, Oregon. The center brings together industry, academia, and government to address workforce and technology challenges facing Oregon manufacturers through applied training, hands-on education, and industry collaboration.

Our Mission

To provide innovative, hands-on training that equips students with the skills, professionalism, and craftsmanship needed to succeed in high-demand advanced manufacturing careers, with a strong focus on placement into meaningful, family-wage roles. When students land good jobs and earn living wages, the benefits extend beyond the individual — strengthening families, building economic resilience, and investing directly in the long-term vitality of the Columbia County region and greater Oregon.

“Some of our best Machinists have come out of PCC programs, and I always pay extra attention when I see them listed on an applicant’s resume. PCC equips their graduates with the knowledge and skills to hit the ground running when it comes to CNC machining in a high-tech industry, but it also helps them build the life-skills needed to drive their own success. The OMIC training center in particular has become one of my favorite places for connecting with the community, whether that be with folks who are just starting their career journeys or with experts in the industry. If your goal is to build an amazing team, the team at PCC OMIC are great partners to have!” Josh Durham, Senior Operations Manager, Acumed LLC

Sponsorship Opportunities

PCC OMIC events and programs are made possible in part through the generous support of our industry and community sponsors. Sponsorship is a tax-deductible contribution made through the PCC Foundation. If you are interested in supporting our mission, we would love to connect.

How to Start

To get started, please complete the Strategic Partner Questionnaire. This form captures all information needed to align partnership opportunities with your workforce goals and preferred engagement options, including internships, events, lectures, robotics teams, and sponsorship.

Strategic Partner Questionnaire

Interested in sponsorship? Here is how it works:

1. Select a Level

   Select a sponsorship level — view sponsorship packages.

2. Confirm Preferences

   Confirm event participation and engagement preferences — email natalee.phelps@pcc.edu to share your preferences.

3. Complete Questionnaire

   Complete the Workforce Needs Questionnaire.

4. Submit Contribution

   Submit your tax-deductible contribution through the PCC Foundation (designate “OMIC Sponsorship”).

Our Partnership with OMIC R&D

PCC OMIC Training Center operates in close partnership with OMIC R&D, the adjacent applied research facility driving innovation in advanced manufacturing technologies. This collaboration gives students and industry partners access to cutting-edge research environments, and ensures that our training programs stay ahead of the curve as manufacturing evolves. Together, PCC OMIC and OMIC R&D form a unique ecosystem where workforce development and industry innovation happen side by side.

How to Talk About PCC OMIC

The following ready-to-use language is provided for partners, staff, and community members to use in emails, presentations, websites, and referrals.

Main website: pcc.edu/omic

Programs & Talent Pipeline

The PCC OMIC Training Center supports a wide range of credit and non-credit programs designed to meet industry workforce needs. These offerings span traditional career and technical education, accelerated training, and apprenticeship models that combine classroom instruction with hands-on lab and on-the-job learning.

OMIC News & Past Events

Signature Events

Stay connected to what is happening at PCC OMIC through our signature events.

• Columbia County Manufacturing Day: Annual hands-on career exploration event connecting high school students with advanced manufacturing professionals. (Next: October 2, 2026)
• Advancing Diversity in Manufacturing (ADIM): DEI-focused event connecting underrepresented students with industry partners and career pathways. (Next: February 19, 2026)
• Additional events: Columbia County Future Workforce Career Fair

News & Updates

Engagement Opportunities

Internship & Pipeline Programs

Connect your organization with motivated, trained students through our structured internship and work-readiness programs.

• Columbia Works Internship Program: Host a paid high school intern at your company site. Grant funding is often available to offset wages, making this a low-barrier, high-impact way to mentor emerging talent.
• CNC Operator Readiness Essentials (CORE): Accelerated training pathway preparing students for entry-level CNC operator roles.
• Training Center Intern Sponsorship: The OMIC On-Site Intern Sponsorship Program gives industry partners a direct role in shaping the next generation of manufacturing talent right here on the OMIC Training Center floor in Scappoose. Through your sponsorship, you fund a paid internship for a Columbia County high school student training alongside OMIC staff in one of four focus areas: Welding, Machining, PLCs, or the STEAM Center. PCC OMIC handles all recruitment, supervision, payroll, and reporting — you focus on the relationship. Internships run each term, and when the intern is ready, you will be first in line to bring them on board. View the On-Site Intern Sponsorship Packet.

Industry Advisory Committee

Advisory Committees guide the development of and provide ongoing assistance to career technical education (CTE) programs. The Advisory Committee and the faculty and staff of the corresponding CTE program work together to ensure that the program addresses current business, industry, labor, and professional employment needs. Join our committee to help shape curriculum, advise on workforce trends, and ensure our programs remain aligned with what employers actually need.

Hiring Opportunities

Gain early access to graduating students actively seeking employment in advanced manufacturing. At the end of each term, we host a Graduation Hiring Event — a casual Student Recognition & Industry Hiring Connection held during finals week. Industry partners are set up at tables in classrooms or in the hall, students circulate to network and share resumes, and partners can discuss open roles, internships, and next steps in an informal but high-value setting.

FIRST Robotics Teams

PCC OMIC engages with middle and high school students through FIRST Robotics programs, helping young people build technical skills, teamwork, and an early connection to manufacturing and engineering careers. We have supported FIRST LEGO League Challenge (FLLC) teams and are excited to expand our involvement in the coming seasons. Interested in hosting or sponsoring a FIRST Robotics team? It is a meaningful way to invest in the next generation of makers and manufacturers in our region. Interested in bringing hands-on STEAM activities to your classroom or team? Explore opportunities through the PCC OMIC Fab Lab.

Why Partner With Us