Students literally make their marks

In late October, historical markers made by interns with the Columbia Works program at the Portland Community College Oregon Manufacturing and Innovation Center (PCC-OMIC) in Scappoose were installed in Rainier and other local communities.

Lucas Briggs is the co-chair of the Welding Technology Department at PCC-OMIC. He said that students are gaining critical hand-on experience in a way that benefits the public.

"There's no feeling like the sense of pride and accomplishment of creating something that the public is able to see on a daily basis," he said. "They can look at something in the real world and have a sense of pride and be able to say, 'I built that.'"

One of the markers was mounted at Rainier's historic City Hall building, with the second to be placed along the riverfront trail. Another student, Aidan Waterman, put together an eagle sculpture. It has been mounted in the A Street Plaza in front of the Rainier Eagles Lodge.

Aside from Rainier, historical markers have also been placed at locations in Vernonia and the Scappoose Bay Marina, with installations also scheduled for Columbia City as part of what has been dubbed "The Columbia Works Wander Trail." Other project partners include the Port of Columbia County, Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation and Columbia Economic Team.

"We selected many different displays for the students to come in, design and build under supervision so they get a sense for how it works," Briggs said. "What they're doing now is what they'll be doing for real in the industry." Vero Reeves, the internship coordinator at PCC-OMIC, said the programs introduce students to advanced manufacturing. They can get certificates in areas such as welding and become familiar with the equipment, making them much more prepared to enter the workforce.

According to Briggs, the programs enable students to successfully establish their careers. "Our bread and butter is providing that accessibility to the new students who come in who never had the chance to come into the industry and explore what it has to offer," he said. "After they complete many of the certificates we offer, they could be job ready and hired on at a livable wage." Briggs admits he is pleased to see the students' work displayed for everyone to enjoy. "I want them to be there for a very long time," he said.