Linn-Benton Community College offers the education and practical training needed to develop the highly-skilled workforce required to staff this region's industries. In two years or less, students in the following programs can move into new careers — fueling the Willamette Valley's economy in the process.

When students join Applied Industrial Technology at Linn-Benton Community College and tell Scott Ballard they’re not good at school, he says, “Let me tell you about this guy I know.”

Britney Cawrse would like to say there’s nothing unusual about being a woman in Linn-Benton Community College’s machine tool technology program. But given she was the only one this past academic year—and there was only one, on average, in recent years before that—she concedes most women don’t appear to be making that choice.

Caleb Martin will graduate from Linn-Benton Community College’s Heavy Duty Diesel - Construction and Forestry Program this coming June. After graduation, he will move into a full-time position as a shop technician with Coastline Equipment in California.

Years ago, local companies serving on an advisory board for the Welding Program asked Linn-Benton Community College to teach its welding students how to work in teams. In response to this industry need, LBCC added teamwork skills classes and the co-curricular component of the Welding Program was developed.

Career Technical Education is higher education that directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers. By emphasizing real-world, practical skills training, LBCC offers CTE programs that link up directly with the needs of employers in our region.

Every Wednesday at noon our legislators and legislative staff members are invited to join virtual presentations from some of Oregon's various community colleges on zoom for "Workforce Wednesday." Each week, colleges will share real-life examples and updates about that week's corresponding theme. Collectively, Workforce Wednesdays will provide a quick snapshot of how we are putting Oregonians back to work and are serving as the state's economic recovery first responders. LBCC will be featured on Feb. 17th — don't miss it!

LBCC encourages our legislators to join the Community College Caucus! This bipartisan group is comprised of legislators who want to support the work of colleges, and engage in issues affecting students and institutions, in order to build a stronger community. The caucus meets monthly depending on the legislative schedule and what issues are currently under consideration, and is open to any member who would like to participate. We welcome staff members as well! For more information or to become a part of this group, please contact Jennifer Boehmer, LBCC Executive Director of Advancement, at boehmej@linnbenton.edu

LBCC asks for your support of HB 2907, the bill that seeks to fully fund community colleges. Especially now as our communities are seeking ways to rebuild from the wildfires and the pandemic, community colleges are critical to reviving Oregon's workforce. When the destructive wildfires damaged the state’s communities, community colleges provided emergency aid and food through our programs. During the state’s economic downturn and increased workload on healthcare responders, community colleges trained frontline workers to help ease the load. LBCC, like all community colleges in Oregon, serves some of our most marginalized populations, who have already suffered disproportionately due to COVID. Without additional federal and state support, colleges will struggle, and our students will bear the brunt of these challenges. We ask for your support.