Oregon Institute of Technology has received two grants from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to support innovative workforce and talent development projects for the community. The grants amount to $1,209,546 for Applied Computing and User Experience (UX) Writing, Design, and Research.
The Future Ready Oregon Workforce Ready Grants are part of approximately $42 million awarded to community-based organizations, community colleges, public and private universities, local workforce development boards, school districts, and other education and workforce service providers throughout Oregon.
Announced by HECC: “Projects advance innovative approaches to education and training, with clearly defined partnerships, career-connected learning pathways, culturally relevant services, and wraparound supports for participants.”
Applied Computing grant
Oregon Tech received $709,546 for an Applied Computing for Upskilling and Reskilling Professionals project. The project aims to equip professionals from underserved communities with essential concepts and tools in applied computing, covering topics from system architecture to data science methodologies.
"This program focuses on teaching participants the skills they need for careers in high-demand technology fields,” said Neslihan Alp, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Management. “We provide training, mentorship, and hands-on projects to help them solve real-world problems and keep learning as technology changes. By working together and sharing knowledge, we aim to help people from underserved communities succeed in technology-based jobs."
The program application will open in early 2025 and will launch in Spring 2025 with an initial cohort of 25-30 individuals. By Spring 2026, 100 participants will have completed the 10-week Applied Computing course at Oregon Tech. Tuition and fees for all participants will be fully covered, and those who successfully complete the course will also receive a laptop. Designed to upskill or reskill individuals, the program aims to prepare them for in-demand computing job opportunities.
UX Writing, Design, and Research grant
Oregon Tech also received $500,000 for UX Writing, Design, and Research to develop a training program that provides upskilling/reskilling in UX writing, research, and design and builds awareness of transferable technology skills in UX to a range of occupations.
“This certificate program will support Oregon’s growing workforce needs by offering hands-on learning experiences in UX design,” said Amber Lancaster, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of Professional Writing. “Through class projects and a paid apprenticeship, participants will gain valuable skills in user-centered design, accessibility, and research, preparing them for careers in software development, information technology, engineering, and more.”
The UX program will begin accepting applications in the spring for Fall 2025 and applicants are eligible for up to $5,000 in tuition assistance toward the one-year program. Certificate students will have the opportunity to complete 30 hours of a paid internship project with an industry partner in June 2026.
The grant programs will be available to Oregonians through enrolling at Oregon Tech as a non-degree-seeking student.
For more information about these projects, please contact Dr. Neslihan Alp at neslihan.alp@oit.edu or Dr. Amber Lancaster at amber.lancaster@oit.edu.
