The Future of Advanced Manufacturing
Construction is now complete on Clark College’s new Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) at the Boschma Farms campus in Ridgefield—strategically designed to meet the current and future workforce needs of our regional manufacturing partners. The AMC will house the new Advanced Manufacturing Technician program, with the Integrated Technician AAT program beginning fall 2025. Stackable credentials will meet current and emerging industry needs for high-quality advanced manufacturing technicians at all stages of the career pathway. The AMC will also house general education, continuing education, and Running Start classroom space. General education and continuing education both started Spring 2025. Clark College Foundation is actively working with partners in industry for input on their updated needs and sharing naming and sponsorship opportunities.
Increased Industry Demand
The Portland Metro area faces a significant shortage of entry-level and skilled advanced manufacturing workers. Each year, the number of new advanced manufacturing jobs created is more than double that of students graduating with relevant degrees.
Higher than-average growth is projected in advanced manufacturing companies in the United States. In 2020, the Portland Metro area had 3,499 manufacturing establishments in the region with over 120,000 jobs, 23% higher than the national average for the region’s size. In 2022 manufacturing payroll passed $1 billion in Clark County, according to data from the Washington Employment Security Department.
Hear from esteemed faculty and staff as well as community partners about the new Clark College Advanced Manufacturing Center opening at Boschma Farms in Ridgefield, WA in 2025!
In order of appearance:
Dr. William “Terry” Brown: Vice President of Instruction at Clark College
Jay Schmidt: Board Chair, High-Tech Council
Dr. Karin Edwards: President of Clark College
Carl Douglas: Director of the Center of Excellence for Semiconductor & Electronics Manufacturing.
COMPLETED BUILDING
On November 19, 2024, design-builder Mortenson handed Clark College a symbolic key to mark completion of the 49,000-square foot Advanced Manufacturing Center at the Boschma Farms campus in Ridgefield. Celebrated by about 100 guests, the LEED Silver facility combines 35,000 square feet of manufacturing training space with classrooms, labs, and collaboration zones. General education classes have already begun this past spring, and the launch of the new Advanced Manufacturing program is scheduled for later this fall (2025), eventually serving up to 1,200 students per term and strengthening workforce development in north Clark County.
Support Clark College and this new Advanced Manufacturing program by giving to the Clark Fund! The Clark Fund is our cornerstone fund, providing essential financial support to key areas of the college, including faculty & staff development, and refurbishing classrooms. The Clark Fund offers the flexibility to address immediate needs and underfunded programs that state funds can’t cover.
FIRST STUDENTS
Spring term 2025 at Clark College debuted a milestone far from the main Vancouver campus: the soft-opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) at Boschma Farms in Ridgefield. Balloons and a welcome sign greeted the very first arrivals on April 7.
Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Terry Brown, and algebra instructor, Brenda Rosencrans, were among them, waiting with Penguin gift bags and a quick photo-op on the sweeping staircase. Upstairs in Room 208, Rosencrans’ Math 111 class became the first official course held in the 49,000-square-foot facility; Biology 101 followed a few days later, with its lab group pausing outside for commemorative pictures (image titled first students). Between classes, Professors led impromptu tours, showing off the vast manufacturing floor, collaboration zones, and technology-rich classrooms that foreshadow the building’s true purpose. The spring’s general-education offerings are only a preview; come fall 2025, the AMC will launch Clark’s new Advanced Manufacturing program, an Integrated Technician AAT degree and two stackable certificates, ultimately positioning the center as a regional hub for hands-on, high-tech workforce training.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PROGRAM
Starting in fall 2025, advanced manufacturing classes, as well as general education classes will be held in the new building at the Boschma Farms campus in Ridgefield, WA. Clark College Advanced Manufacturing degrees and certificates include: Intro to Manufacturing (CA), Manufacturing Operator (CP), and Integrated Technician (AAT). If you are interested in taking classes or enrolling in this program, contact the Welcome Center to get started. Courses starting this fall include:
Interested in leaving your legacy on Boschma Farms? Contact Justin Stokes to learn more!
or support Clark College by giving to the Clark Fund.
Construction Photos
