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 start 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.
Classes Starting Spring of 2025
The first building at Boschma Farms at Clark College was finished in Winter of 2024. Clark College accepted the keys to the building in November and are continuing to furnish and equip the building in preparation for our first students. General education classes will be offered in Spring of 2025 while the Advanced Manufacturing program is planned to start in Fall of 2024, currently pending NWCCU approval.
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.
Proposed (or Planned) Curriculum
- Programming and Problem Solving
- Material Science
- Career Exploration
- Robotics I, II, & III
- Metrology
- Systems Integration
- CAD/CAM
- Higher Level Mathematics
- Manual Manufacturing I & II
- Technical Writing
- Additive & Subractive Manufacturing I & II
- Welding, Cutting, and Fabrication
- Blueprints and Schematics
- Capstone
Certifications and Degrees
Certificate of Achievement:
Intro to Manufacturing 31 credits
Certificate of Proficiency:
Manufacturing Operator 47 credits
Associate in Applied Technology:
Integrated Technical Degree 101 credits
Naming Opportunities Coming Soon
Interested in leaving your legacy on Boschma Farms? Contact Justin Stokes to learn more!
In the meantime, support Clark College by giving to the Clark Fund.
Construction Photos
