The Clackamas print., January 29, 2020, Page 6, Image 6

6________________ NEWS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5.7
million
rolls
into
the
shop
CCC AUTOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT EXPANSION HOLDS GRAND OPENING ON FRIDAY
STORY BY JAKOB KAISER
STAFF WRITER
With the grand reveal of Clackamas Community
College’ s new automotive expansion rignt
around the corner, we went in for a first-hand
look at everything this incredible revamp has
to offer for the program. First off, anyone who
has taken part in any automotive courses here
will know that they have been waiting for this
expansion for nearly 28 years, and with the
grand total for the expansion coming to around
$5.7 million, it was well worth the wait.
The whole place is barely recognizable
compared to what it looked like before; with the
main garage nearly doubled in size, the program
can now accomodate twice as many students.
This expansion didn’t corné a moment too
soon, considering the growth that is expected
in the industry. According to Nick Miller, an
automotive instructor at CCC, there is to be
a six percent increase in demand for trained
technicians. With all-new lifts, -tools and even
classrooms, students will experience a comfier,
more streamlined experience in the program, as
before there was often a struggle to. find enough
space for everyone.
The program is now even providing students
with tools IF before this, students had to
purchase and supply their own tools. Purchasing
tools- and paying tuition created a barrier to
entry and caused students a harder time trying A CCC stu d en t w orks in th e exp an d ed garage.
to gather everything they needed for the class.
Miller went on to say, “ We’ve been working on
this since the bond measure in 2014.”
Touring Barlow Hall, there was much that has
been redone; with the expansion of the main
garage, the collision course was able to move
over a wing and get a big new space of their own.
The high school course, which mainly consists
of Oregon City students, also got a new space of
its own. They were even able to give the parts
department a small building to call home.
With brand new bathrooms, lighting, heating
and cooling, new bay doors and a fresh coat-of
paint, it feels like an all-new school to those
who have worked in those spaces before the
renovations.
Jay Leuck, another
instructor in the
automotive department, said of the expansion,
“ I am very excited to be teaching in the new
classrooms and shop area. We have already put
the extra space to work by adding another day for the automotive program if it’ s something
class and [we] are looking forward to growing you’ve been interested in.
The expansion is scheduled to be formally
our programs to fill the larger capacity that is
revealed Friday at 330 p.m. Everyone is welcome
available now.”
So with the new expansion ready and waiting, to attend and see all the improvements they’ve
now is the best time to go ahead and apply
theclackamasprint.com
Clackamas Print
made; instructors and other faculty will be there
to answer questions regarding the program.
January 29,2020