Students at Rogue Community College (RCC) will have more opportunities to pursue education in transportation technologies. Alongside curriculum expansion, the board of education has approved the construction of new facilities in Josephine and Jackson counties.
Redaksiya reports that through the expanded transportation education program, students will gain real-world experience, hands-on training, and more. This will help prepare them for in-demand careers in automotive, diesel, marine, and other related transportation fields.
RCC stated that the community is facing a shortage in the transportation industry. They noted that a significant portion of the existing workforce, consisting of skilled automotive and diesel technicians, is reaching retirement age. Steve Phelps, Dean of Applied Technology and Visual Arts at RCC, said, "There are not enough people in the workforce right now. Some of our dealerships have openings that are not being fully utilized, and we also know that these jobs that people can get pay more than a living wage." He added, "A living wage is an outdated standard that we've used in the past, we're looking for prosperity wages."
Construction of new facilities at the Redwood and Table Rock campuses is planned for this spring, with work underway to implement the expanded program in Fall 2027.