Portland Community College expands learning, training with Hillsboro ‘Technology Innovation Spaces’

Portland Community College expands learning, training with Hillsboro ‘Technology Innovation Spaces’

Published 4:30 am Tuesday, September 16, 2025

With technology reshaping industries at a rapid pace, Portland Community College is opening doors to the next generation of learning — and the workforce of the future.

PCC leaders, local officials and industry partners gathered Friday, Sept. 12, to tour three new high-tech labs at the college’s Willow Creek Opportunity Center in Hillsboro.

The facilities — a teaching cleanroom, artificial intelligence lab and manufacturing lab — are designed to give students hands-on experience with advanced technologies while directly connecting them with local employers. PCC leaders say the spaces will help meet the region’s growing demand for skilled workers in fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, robotics and artificial intelligence.

“We are now — thanks to the work of our team, thanks to the work and support of our board — taking strategic and intentional strides to build that pipeline to be a connection to business and industry and to impact the workforce for generations to come,” PCC President Adrien Bennings said during the event’s opening remarks.

A new hub for semiconductor training

The centerpiece of Friday’s unveiling was the teaching cleanroom, a 1,152-square-foot facility opening this fall. Funded in part by a $1.7 million state workforce grant, the cleanroom simulates the environment of a semiconductor production facility.

PCC plans to use the space to train a wide range of learners — from high school dual-credit students to current industry employees — in essential industry practices such as gowning, safety protocols and wafer handling.

Outfitted with two Lesker Vacuum Training Systems donated by Intel and a Festo Simulated Automated Manufacturing System, the cleanroom will primarily support students in PCC’s Microelectronics Technology and Electronic Engineering Technology programs, preparing them for daily tasks seen in advanced manufacturing.

Exploring the AI frontier

The artificial intelligence lab, which opened in January, spans 1,900 square feet and provides space for students and community members to explore emerging technologies, including robotics, projection mapping, machine learning and virtual and augmented reality.

Still in development, the lab has been equipped with upgraded power infrastructure and audiovisual systems to support a variety of tech demonstrations and collaborative projects, according to the college.

During Friday’s event, visitors saw demonstrations such as a virtual reality headset that uses artificial intelligence to simulate real-world emergency medical training scenarios, giving users the chance to practice decision-making in urgent situations. Other demonstrations featured robotic arms equipped with visual tracking technology and programming tools for machine learning.

Fast-tracking workers into manufacturing jobs

Guests also toured the manufacturing lab, opened in 2021, which serves as the hub for PCC’s Quick Start Semiconductor Technician Training program — a partnership with Intel aimed at rapidly preparing workers for the semiconductor industry.

Over the course of two weeks, participants gain a foundation in basic manufacturing concepts, learning to safely use hand tools, understand different types of equipment and work with pneumatic systems. The intensive training prepares graduates to step directly into entry-level jobs at local manufacturing companies.

Since its launch, Quick Start has graduated 421 students across 30 cohorts, with two in three being placed in a job directly out of the program. More than 64% of participants identify as women or members of underrepresented groups, according to PCC.

Building futures

These programs are part of a broader statewide push to grow Oregon’s semiconductor and advanced manufacturing workforce. The Oregon Legislature has dedicated funding to education and training initiatives through measures like 2024 House Bill 4154, which supports partnerships between schools and industry.

“By providing this hands-on opportunity and training with real-world technologies, PCC isn’t just preparing Oregon’s workforce for today’s opportunities, but also for the opportunities of tomorrow,” U.S. Sen. Janeen Sollman said. “These jobs will strengthen families, uplift communities and fuel economic growth.”

On an individual level, PCC’s new spaces are opening doors to careers that once seemed out of reach.

Oscar Rodriguez, a second-year microelectronics student, said the training at Willow Creek helped him land a new position at Jireh Semiconductor in Hillsboro.

“I started in another program, but once I learned about the semiconductor training, I knew I wanted to be part of it,” Rodriguez said. “With the help of a scholarship and support from staff who guided me through the process, I was able to step into a new career. Now, just a few months into my new role, I feel confident about the future I’m building.”