While the program is open to county residents of all ages, organizers hope to attract a number of high school students and recent graduates, as well as older students. 

“We were dismayed to learn that the average age of folks starting these apprentice programs is 28,” said Dr. Birgitte Ryslinge, OCCC President. “Our union partners are looking to the College to help address this decade-long gap between high school graduation and launching these careers. Given the earning potential in these fields, there’s a tremendous opportunity cost in putting off the decision to enter an apprentice program for so long.”

Ryslinge added that one of the reasons would-be apprentices delay starting the process is because they lack the necessary educational experience and skill in mathematics, reading, and other areas. The PACT program is designed to help participants of all ages fill those gaps, and will arm them with the confidence to pursue the apprenticeship of their choice.

PACT to deliver industry certifications

Through the PACT program, participants will earn the OSHA-10 certification – a vital piece that delivers robust content around workplace safety. They will also complete other certifications, ranging from CPR/lifesaving to forklift and scissor-lift operating. They will learn how to read and interpret bluebrints, and will learn mathematics including right-angle trigonometry, mastering how to calculate area and volume, among other skills.

The course will be offered for the first time in the Fall of 2024, starting Sept. 6 and running through late January, 2025. The schedule was crafted to align with the Lincoln County School District’s semester, though the program is open to students of all ages and backgrounds.

There will be two cohorts of the program; one will meet every Friday (alternating in-person meetings held in Siletz and other locations with remote meetings, every other week). The other cohort will feature remote lunchtime sessions Mondays and Wednesdays with Saturday in-person sessions at locations around the County. (See “Note,” below.)

NO COST to participants in first program, thanks to agency

Whichever cohort a person chooses, there will be no cost to participate.  During a recent planning meeting, discussion turned to tuition – the fee each student would pay for the program. That conversation came to a quick end when Northwest Oregon Works (NOW) announced it would fund the tuition for all participants of this inaugural program. “Our workgroup is deeply appreciative of this investment in our participants’ careers,” said Dan Lara, OCCC’s Director of Institutional Effectiveness. “We thank the NOW team and Executive Director Heather DeSart for this phenomenal support.”