History Corner: When a valued industry partner called, PCC was there to assist
Photos and story by James Hill
Today, Portland Community College is a center of semiconductor training for the region, from microelectronics to electronic engineering and mechatronics. This high-tech hub really began decades earlier when the world’s top technology company approached PCC to help train its employees.
In 1990, longtime corporate partner Intel worked with the college to found the Microelectronics Technology Program. To start, classes were offered at Intel’s Aloha campus and were only available to full-time Intel employees. All courses were taught at Intel with the exception of laboratories in chemistry and physics, which were held at PCC. In 1995, the program moved to the Capital Center in Beaverton, then later to its current location at the Rock Creek Campus, and was open to anyone in the community.
Today, Intel and the program still have a strong partnership that benefits students and industry via equipment donations, internships and program funding for various on-ramp and support initiatives like the Quick Start Program. With a need for more technicians, the Microelectronics Technology Program continues to grow and serve the region’s economic development. In its more than 30 years, the program has close to a 100% job placement rate for its graduates.
To learn more, visit pcc.edu/programs/microelectronics
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »