Public invited to OCCC to see College, K12 CTE programs in action

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is an ever-growing part of educational curricula across the country, and Oregon is one of the leaders in CTE innovation and initiatives. On Friday, Feb. 7, Oregon Coast Community College and the Lincoln County School District will showcase the opportunities available through their own CTE programs.

The 2025 iteration of the CTE Expo takes place in the shadow of the site of the planned Oregon Coast Advanced Technology & Trades building, which will be constructed on the Newport campus of Oregon Coast Community College after having been enthusiastically approved by voters in a May 2024 election.

Community members are invited to experience the CTE Expo, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 7 at the OCCC Central County Campus, located at 400 SE College Way in Newport. A variety of experiences will be available, including student demonstrations, presentations about the various programs, samples from LCSD culinary programs, and information about the career and technical education opportunities in Lincoln County.

Students from throughout the Lincoln County School District will share their career tech programs, including welding, culinary arts, natural resources and forestry, drafting, manufacturing, wood working, engineering, visual design and communication, digital design and media, and early childhood education.

Featured Oregon Coast Community College programs will include Early Childhood Education, Welding, the Pre-Apprenticeship for the Construction Trades (PACT) Program, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Aquarium Science, Business, Computer Science, and more. The college will also have on-the-spot admissions for interested students.

“These programs are working to make our future workforce,” said Becky York, OCCC Career Connected Learning Systems Navigator. “We, as educational institutions, want to make sure that what is being created and taught is what our local industries need. We are striving to provide a qualified and educated workforce.”

Local industry partners from the community will also be present, and may include the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Samaritan Health Services, WorkSource Oregon, Central Lincoln PUD, Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, Lincoln County Public Health, Georgia-Pacific, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, local trade unions, and others.

If you would like to promote or educate the students and the community about your career technology business and employment opportunities, contact York at becky.york@oregoncoast.edu.