OREGON CITY - Clackamas Community College is offering four programs that provide extra academic support and funding during winter term. Students can get career ready in six months or less, and may qualify for funding for tuition, fees, textbooks, transportation and more.

Thanks to funding from the Future Ready Oregon Career Pathways grant, CCC can provide opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to earn a certificate and/or degree in high-wage, high-demand industries at little to no cost for the students.

Participating programs include:

• Health care: Prepare for a career in health care by learning communication skills and medical terminology.
• Welding: Gain entry-level welding skills to prepare for careers in fabrication, heavy construction, ship building and equipment repair.
• CNC operator: Enter the advanced manufacturing field with a focus on skilled CNC machine tool operation.
• Irrigation technician: Learn how to design, install and maintain irrigation systems for a variety of landscapes.

For those who are new to college or returning after some time away, these programs offer extra support with dedicated staff and academic help as well as course supplies, materials and equipment.

"These programs will get you on the fast track to work, and they have extra support both in and outside of the classroom, including help to get you started, test-taking assistance and math support," Armetta Burney, dean of technology, applied science and public services, said.

To be eligible, applicants must identify as one or more of these communities: people of color, women, low-income, rural and frontier communities, veterans, people with disabilities, justice involved, members of Oregon's federally recognized Native American tribes, people experiencing discrimination in employment on the basis of age or members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Winter term classes start Jan. 9. For more information or to get started, contact Workforce Development atwork.force@clackamas.edu or 503-594-6246.