This content was published: August 1, 2006. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Non-native English speakers now have a pathway to high-tech field
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College and a consortium of circuit board manufacturers in Washington County are offering non-native English speakers a skills program that will allow them a pathway into the high-tech field.
The Entry-Level High Tech Skills Training program is a free six-week course at the Capital Career Center (18624 N.W. Walker Road). Orientations for the program will be held through Friday, Sept. 8 with classes running from Monday, Sept. 25 through Nov. 3. The orientations will be offered from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 16, 23, 30 and Wednesday, Sept. 6 at the Capital Career Center (18624 N.W. Walker Rd., room 1509), and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 and 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8 at the Forest Grove Employment and Training Center (2801 Pacific Ave.).
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; introduction to statistical process control; learning employer expectations; and reading, writing, math and basic computer skills. Training will also include job search workshops and assistance in placement after completion of the training. The electronic manufacturing consortium plans to hire from the pool of students completing the training. The Entry Level High Tech Skills Training program is reporting an 89 percent hire rate for the previous classes.
Individuals must be 18 years of age or older; have proper work authorization documents (documents will be verified); conversational English skills; and possess basic math skills. Consortium members include Merix Corporation, Vanguard EMS and Benchmark Electronics.
For more information, call 503-992-7397.
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 »