Columbia Gorge Community College Manufacturing Program Named Center of the Year by U.S. Department of Energy
From Columbia Gorge Community College:
By Tom Penberthy
The Dalles, Ore., July 20, 2026 — Columbia Gorge Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication program has been named the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) Center of the Year for Manufacturing Outcomes at the annual ITAC Directors Meeting in Park City, Utah. The award recognizes CGCC’s leadership in delivering direct, measurable support to manufacturers through technical assistance, engagement, and applied problem-solving.
The Manufacturing Outcomes Award is a national ITAC “Center of the Year” honor from the U.S. Department of Energy, recognizing the center with the most impactful, measurable results for small and mid-sized manufacturers.
Funded through a $1.97 million DOE grant, CGCC’s ITAC serves as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing training and technical assistance at the college’s campus in The Dalles. The center helps small- and medium-sized manufacturers improve productivity, reduce material waste, and lower energy use while giving students hands-on experience with advanced manufacturing technology.
“Our manufacturers are the backbone of the Gorge economy, and this national recognition shows that CGCC is helping them compete at a high level,” said Dr. Kenneth Lawson, CGCC’s president. “By pairing industry-scale tools with student talent and faculty expertise, we’re solving real problems for local companies and opening doors to high-skill, high-wage careers for our graduates.”
CGCC’s Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication program offers certificates and a selection of Associate of Applied Science degrees that prepare students for careers in CNC machining, robotics, additive manufacturing, and quality assurance. Students and faculty work with regional firms on projects that include rapid prototyping, 3D printing, process improvement, and assessments that help smaller manufacturers access expertise and equipment they might not otherwise have.
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