Local News

Rogue Community College continues taking steps forward in expanding access to high-demand transportation technology education.

The Board of Education recently approved of contracts to construct new Transportation Technology facilities on both the Redwood and Table Rock campuses.

The expansion reflects RCC’s commitment to meeting regional and national workforce needs while increasing access for students across Jackson and Josephine counties. Across the country, the transportation industry faces a growing shortage of skilled automotive and diesel technicians as a large portion of the current workforce reaches retirement age.

According to a release from RCC, federal labor projections estimate tens of thousands of annual openings over the next decade, driven largely by retirements. This will create sustained demand for well-trained technicians.

Originally envisioned as a single-site project, the RCC Transportation Technology Center will now serve students in both counties, reducing barriers to enrollment and strengthening connections to local employers.

The new facilities will support updated curriculum and hands-on learning in automotive and diesel technologies, with first-year instruction redesigned to better align with industry expectations and emerging workforce trends.

As construction moves forward, RCC will continue working closely with industry partners, workforce organizations and the broader community to help the Transportation Technology project reach its full potential and meet the evolving needs of the region.