Linn-Benton Community College hosted its 10th Annual National Career and Technical Education Signing Day — a vibrant, high-energy celebration honoring 171 students committing to 17 technical career pathways designed to drive Oregon’s workforce forward.
Held before an enthusiastic crowd of families, educators, industry leaders, and elected officials, the event on April 16 showcased LBCC’s leadership as a National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) school. Students signed letters of intent to pursue one of 17 high-demand CTE programs, launching their career journeys with training directly related to real-world work opportunities.
“We’re excited to share that this year’s celebration was a tremendous success,” said Amy Burbee, LBCC Director of Work-Based Learning. “With a 36% increase in participation from last year and 85% of students stating they wouldn’t have enrolled without this program, this event proves how transformational early engagement can be.”
Here are just a few of the many highlights from this year’s CTE Signing Day cohort:
· 35% are women, entering and shaping industries where their presence is growing and is essential.
· 30% are first-generation college students, breaking new ground for themselves and their families.
· 86% are joining LBCC directly from high school, while 14% are adult learners returning to education.
The evening featured remarks from LBCC President Lisa Avery, ATI Specialty Alloys & Components President Trevor Giroux, Heather DeSart, Northwest Oregon Works, and Kim Parker-Lleranas, Willamette Workforce Partnership, both executive directors for the college’s regional workforce boards. Their messages emphasized the life-changing potential of technical education to build brighter futures.
In total, $39,700 in awards were distributed to support student success, including:
· Two $1,000 3M Transformational national scholarships
· One $2,000 Betty Gray scholarship
· Three $1,500 Honorary Dean Steve Schilling scholarships
· Two $2,000 Central Willamette Credit Union scholarships
· Two $1,500 LBCC Foundation scholarships
· Two $2,500 NW Natural scholarships
· More than $9,000 in tuition waivers
· $9,000 in CTE Signing Day-branded merchandise, including sweatshirts and hats
· $1,200 in raffle prizes, including gas cards, campus food cards, and bookstore gift cards
The Signing Day celebration was made possible through the support of many industry partners, including Snap-on, ATI, Jeremy Ito Story Design, Corvallis Knights, ENTEK, Republic Services, Central Willamette Credit Union, Northwest Oregon Works, Willamette Workforce Partnerships, and NW Natural, demonstrating their commitment to workforce development in our region by contributing swag, scholarship funding, covering operations, and even a catered meal for the more than 400 participants and attendees.
To learn more about LBCC’s CTE programs, view photos, watch the highlight video, watch the whole live-streamed event, read the LinkedIn article, or learn how you can be part of next year’s Signing Day, visit CTE Signing Day.
For more information, contact Amy Burbee, director of Work-Based Learning at LBCC at burbeea@linnbenton.edu or (541) 917-4789.
