Redmond Technology Education Center
News archive - 2014-15
Kirby Nagelhout Construction employees and subcontractors are working to construct the Redmond Technology Education Center on the corner of Veterans Way and Salmon Drive, across from the Redmond Airport. The building will house technology-centered programs that will allow residents to train for present and future family-wage jobs. Completion of the 34,000-square-foot center is anticipated by June.
Success for today's and tomorrows technology companies relies heavily on a trained and retrained workforce, so we envision the Technology Education Center as being a key asset for regional companies and for individuals strengthening their employment opportunities, said COCC President James Middleton.
An essential aspect of COCC's vision for the facility is it's adaptability for future needs, according to Middleton. Ten years from now and beyond, the facility will be able to support training in technologies that are unknown today. To provide this flexibility, the Technology Education Center was designed with modifiable spaces as well as expansion space and large exterior access doors to allow for removing and installing equipment.
The funding of the $12.5-million project comes from state funds, which includes a $5.7-million match from the state, and a COCC bond measure approved by voters in 2009.
Programs in the progressive new field of nondestructive testing and nondestructive inspections will be located in the technology center. These programs will train students in the techniques for detecting internal or external defects, determining structure, composition and properties or measuring geometric characteristics. Students will be able to earn several one-year certificates or a two-year degree in nondestructive testing and inspection. According to the state of Oregon job data website, the annual salary for a Level I entry-level technician position is $30,000 to $45,000, depending on experience.
A new two-year degree option, Automotive Technology in Electronics and Diagnostics (TED), will also be offered at the Redmond Technology Education Center. This degree will emphasize electric and hybrid power systems, clean diesel and on-board vehicle networking knowledge needed to repair the continually evolving electronics in today's vehicles.
This degree will be in addition to the current master automotive technician certificate and an associate degree in automotive management, with emphasis on the electrical/electronic portions of the automotive industry. The COCC Automotive Technology program was re-accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation in the spring of 2013.