With skilled workers in short supply, Portland Community College is preparing to open a new manufacturing training center in Scappoose.

The 31,000-square-foot Training Center of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing will be constructed on a 17-acre parcel at the existing Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center. A ground-breaking ceremony for the project is set for Jan. 29. General contractor Mortenson Construction is scheduled to finish work this fall.

“Manufacturing has come a long ways,” said Linda Degman, PCC director of planning and capital construction. “It’s all very high tech now, with clean spaces. The CNC (computer numerical control) machines are big and enclosed, and we’re teaching people how to work on computers and how to keep them up and running and calibrated. Those are the types of things they’re learning; not the dirty type of manufacturing that people envision.”

The project is a collaborative effort between PCC and partners from industry and other higher education institutions. Hennebery Eddy Architects designed the training center to hold CNC operations, welding, machine operations, industrial fabrication and mechatronics.

The facility will complement OMIC’s applied research and development division that focuses on metals manufacturing. Research and development projects are led by industry partners, university faculty members and student interns, which goes hand in hand with PCC’s apprenticeship training.

A progressive design-build process is being used to deliver the project. Concrete tilt panels will be used, as well as generous amounts of glazing.

“There’s lots of glass so you can see what’s happening in the building and see what’s happening on the manufacturing training floor,” Degman said. “So when people walk in they can see what’s happening in the building; that’s a big aspect of it.”

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The Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC), an applied research and technical training project planned for Scappoose, has announced several major industry partners, including Boeing and Daimler.

The project to turn out skilled manufacturing workers and lead innovation now has commitments from seven manufacturers and three universities, including  ATI, Blount International, Hangsterfer’s Laboratories Inc., Silver Eagle Manufacturing and Vigor.

“This collaboration will launch OMIC’s mission to develop advanced metals manufacturing technologies that are expected to increase commercial productivity and augment state and regional capabilities for industry growth and innovation,” an OMIC statement reads.

The OMIC is currently planned to involve two facilities – a training center and research facility. An existing facility will serve as the research center. The project is modeled after the Advanced Manufacturing and Research Center in Sheffield, England. Construction is planned to begin this month.

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