KCC Apprenticeship Center open house slated for May 6
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IF YOU GO
WHAT:
KCC Apprenticeship Center open house
WHERE:
Klamath Community College
7390 S. 6th Street, Klamath Falls, Oregon
WHEN:
Saturday, May 6, 11a-2p
COST: Free
Article by Kurt Liedtke, public relations, KCC.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Following years of community project planning and fundraising, the public is invited to witness the finished product for themselves at an open house celebration for the new Klamath Community College Apprenticeship Center on Saturday, May 6.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring tours of the facility, speakers, and refreshments The open house event marks the culmination of the Build the Basin campaign – a multi-year effort toward construction of the multipurpose educational facility funded through community donations, and grants. Its designed purpose is to train professional, skilled trades workers for the Klamath Basin and beyond. Approximately $11 million was raised for its construction, funded without use of a school bond or tax levy.
“We want to thank the entire community for supporting the KCC Apprenticeship Center project,” said Chip Massie, KCC vice president of external programs. “Please join us to see what you helped build.”
Groundbreaking for the site took place on Nov. 10, 2021, with Klamath Falls-based Kinsman Construction as the project’s lead contractor. Despite complications from severe weather delays, inflation-related cost increases, pandemic associated supply chain disruptions, and COVID-19 impacts, construction was completed within the estimated spring 2023 timeline.
“This marks the culmination of many years of work to address critical needs within the Klamath Basin for more skilled trades workers,” said Dr. Roberto Gutierrez, president of Klamath Community College. “This is a celebration of all of those who contributed to make this a reality, and marks a turning point in the economic viability of the region. The apprenticeship students today, will be the ones building the Klamath Basin’s future tomorrow.”
The Apprenticeship Center provides a home for KCC’s growing list of pre-apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Previously, some of these workforce programs were housed off campus: KCC’s welding program was based in facilities at Oregon Tech, and KCC’s fire science program shared space with local fire districts.
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The facility houses adaptable training areas for wildland and structural firefighting, emergency medical technician, welding, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, manufacturing, and more. The center is also home to KCC’s U.S. Department of Education High School Equivalency (HEP) program, CTE program director offices, and a computer-equipped open student work area. Visitors are welcomed to the center by a 1949 fire engine, restored and donated to KCC for permanent display by Klamath County Fire District No. 1. Ample outdoor space surrounding the structure – which features a multi-story fire training tower – is utilized for fire, criminal justice, and commercial driver license training, among other programs.
Apprenticeship programs typically span four years – a partnership between KCC and regional businesses to train employees working toward state certification in a number of construction and contracting fields. The addition of the KCC Apprenticeship Center means an expansion in the number of available apprenticeship programs and training space for students, which will garner an increase in state-certified contractors and skilled workers in the Klamath Basin in the coming years.