To strengthen the local workforce and create career opportunities, Portland Community College has partnered with Pacific Office Automation (POA), the nation’s largest independent office equipment distributor, to launch a new Field Service Technician Fundamentals certificate. The 12-week course is designed to teach students the essential skills they need for a successful career as a field service technician.
Set to begin on September 23, the program was developed in collaboration with industry experts from POA and the college’s Electronic Engineering Technology Program. It focuses on providing students with hands-on training in key areas such as equipment installation, troubleshooting, diagnostics and customer service. These skills are highly transferable and applicable across a range of industries, including agriculture, heavy engineering and manufacturing, and the office equipment sector.
One of the program’s standout features is the career preparation it provides. Upon successful completion, students are guaranteed an interview with Pacific Office Automation. In addition, POA offers full tuition reimbursement to graduates who find employment with the company.
“Our goal with this program is to work with POA to remove the barriers to these career paths and make them accessible to anyone who wants to become an engineer,” said Patty Hawkins, dean of electronic mechatronics and advanced manufacturing at PCC. “This is an excellent opportunity for students who want to enter the workforce with a solid foundation of skills.”
Demand for field technicians is increasing, and according to MyFuture Career, the industry is expected to grow 6% between 2022 and 2032. Pacific Office Automation alone has 33 open positions for field technicians and plans to hire 10 to 12 technicians annually at its Portland office. The partnership between POA and PCC aims to meet this growing demand while supporting the local workforce.
The 13-credit program is offered year-round, with courses offered in the fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters. While the program is primarily offered in person, there are plans to offer it online in the future. The course is open to all, and no prior experience is required.
The fall semester admission deadline is September 9. Prospective students can learn more and register for the program on the PCC website at www.pcc.edu/enroll or at the Electronic Engineering Technology Program.
Source: Portland Community College
