Clackamas Community College Receives Grant to Train and Prepare Diverse Workforce

OREGON CITY — Clackamas Community College is proud to announce that it was awarded a $1,959,070 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to bolster the nation's workforce through the "Investing in America" agenda. The grant will fund the development and launch of CCC's RENEW-IT (Renewable Energy Industrial Training) project for five years.

The grant comes from the Department of Labor's Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program, designed to create equitable pathways to high-quality infrastructure jobs. This grant aligns with CCC's mission to cultivate equitable, innovative and responsive education.

"RENEW-IT seeks to offer training that enables job seekers to prepare for high-wage, high-demand careers while being able to rapidly begin to earn income. It also seeks to respond to demand from local renewable energy and transportation companies to hire skilled workers ready to enter hard-to-fill, middle-skilled occupations," Armetta Burney, dean of technology, applied science and public services, said.

About RENEW-IT

In collaboration with partners, the RENEW-IT program at CCC will offer training in high-wage, high-demand careers, meeting the needs of local renewable energy and transportation companies, including advanced manufacturing, for skilled workers ready to fill crucial roles. The project will develop three new training options:

• Renewable Energy Technician: This six-month program focuses on the installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems.
• Industrial Maintenance Technician: This training is also six months and provides broad-based knowledge, emphasizing renewable energy systems and mechanical and electro-mechanical skills.
• Solar and Renewable Inside Electrical Apprenticeship: This four-year apprenticeship will be developed in coordination with Oregon's state apprenticeship agency and aims to license electricians capable of working on both AC and DC circuits.

Project partners include Sunthurst Energy, Solar Assist, Oregon Solar Clean, Sunshine Solar, Sunbridge Solar, Truesouth Solar, ZincFive, Rantech, Gosiger, CRB Manufacturing, Warn Industries, and Titan Freight, Oregon Solar Energy Education Fund.

Target population

RENEW-IT will primarily serve individuals who are low-income, underemployed or from underrepresented populations. CCC will collaborate with culturally-specific nonprofits to ensure people of color are included among the individuals served.

"We have developed an exciting partnership with Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians to provide training under this project for 15 Native Americans per year (45 total) for the first three years of the project," Burney said.

Credentials and certifications

Upon completion of training, students will earn either a Renewable Energy Certificate or an Industrial Maintenance Certificate from CCC. Additionally, various industry certifications will be available. For the four-year apprenticeship, participants will become licensed electricians.

This program exemplifies Clackamas Community College's commitment to fostering a community that values equity and belonging while providing workers to industries that need skilled employees. The grant will serve not just as a boon to CCC but also as a catalyst for sustainable, community-centric growth, aligning with the college's mission and values.

For more information about Clackamas Community College, visit www.clackamas.edu.