Portland Community College has been approved to build a workforce training center in Scappoose.

PCC’s training center will initially focus on advanced manufacturing, offering programs such as machining and welding, the school said in a press release. A groundbreaking is set to take place late next year, and the school expects the facility to be open in spring of 2021.

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“We’re thrilled to share that PCC now has land in Scappoose, and even happier that construction will soon begin,” Sylvia Kelley, PCC’s executive vice president, said in the release.

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The facility will be located less than a mile from the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center, a research center focused on innovations in metals manufacturing.

“Advanced manufacturing has a bright future in our state, with the OMIC project being transformational for Columbia County and northwest Oregon,” Kelley said. “PCC’s training center will provide students with both the classroom and on-the-job training they need to fill high-demand, living wage jobs available.”

PCC has had a long-time presence in Columbia County, including offering welding classes in the evenings at St. Helens High School for the past six years. According to the school, the desire for a permanent PCC facility has been a long time coming.

“PCC’s partnership in Scappoose was something we’ve supported wholeheartedly from the very beginning,” Scappoose Mayor Scott Burge said. “Having sticks in the ground for a community college is huge for our community. So, we're all onboard and looking very forward to the groundbreaking on that site.”

Scappoose's city manager, Michael Sykes, called the new facility a “game changer for the community.” He also said it will help complement all of the workforce opportunities that are already available in the city.