Fall Term Enrollment Jumps at Clackamas

Friday, October 02, 2009

Classes started this week at CCC with an increase of 9 percent enrollment over fall term last year.

Along with enrollment growth, the school has seen a dramatic increase of 46 percent in financial aid applications.

In addition, 47 percent more classes have closed after reaching capacity over last year, and hundreds of students have been moved from wait lists into classes.

Clackamas is seeing high demand for lower-division collegiate classes, which covers general education requirements for degree-seeking students. CCC has also seen an increase in the number of full-time students, up 15 percent.

The high growth has followed a trend that started with the economic recession as unemployed Oregonians look to local community colleges for job training. Workforce Services at CCC served more than 7,000 people over the past year, a 10-fold increase over last year.

"In economic hard times, people turn to their local community colleges to gain new skills," said CCC President Dr. Joanne Truesdell. “We are looking at creative ways to meet the demand for service, including offering graveyard welding classes.”

State economists predict a "jobless recovery" through mid 2013. Students at community colleges are seeking training that will prepare them for work when jobs return.

Clackamas has had high demand for job training classes in areas including welding and machining, and the college has added sections to accommodate more students.

For more information, please contact Janet Paulson, public information officer, at 503-657-6958, ext. 2307.