Portland Community College is training workers to maintain electric vehicles, energy-efficient buildings and other clean-energy systems through an $11 million initiative that runs through December 2029.

Bethany-area residents can connect to the program through PCC's Hillsboro Opportunity Center, which offers career exploration, access to PCC classes, job fairs and workforce programs.

Project SHIFT (Sustainable HVAC, Infrastructure, and Fleet Technology) is a partnership between PCC, the PCC Foundation and the City of Portland's Bureau of Fleet & Facilities, funded by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF). The voter-approved fund imposes a 1% tax on sales by large retail businesses in Portland to support climate action.

The program, established in July 2025, expands access to automotive service technology, diesel service technology, facilities maintenance, HVAC and pre-trades education, according to PCC. It is also developing new coursework in EV maintenance and building energy management.

The PCC Foundation will provide more than $2.5 million in scholarships over the life of the project. Those scholarships cover tuition, course materials and required toolkits. Emergency grants are also available for students facing barriers such as childcare, transportation, housing or medical costs.

Scholarships are reaching underrepresented groups. During the 2025–26 academic year, SHIFT scholarships supported 130 students. Of those, 47% identified as Black, Indigenous or people of color, 22% reported a disability, and 10% identified as female, nonbinary or gender fluid.

"Project SHIFT connects students, especially those who have historically faced barriers, with the education, financial support and resources they need to move into family-wage careers," Pam Hester, program dean of PCC's Community Workforce Development & Opportunity Centers, said in a Monday, Aug. 31, announcement.

The initiative has four tracks: career exploration through PCC's Future Connect Program and Opportunity Centers; credential and degree pathways in automotive, diesel and facilities maintenance technology; a pre-trades certificate at Columbia River Correctional Institution for adults in custody; and development of three noncredit EV maintenance courses and new building energy training modules.

PCC's Professional Development and Training team will also provide customized instruction for City of Portland fleet and facilities employees.

PCC alum Rick Cruz works on an EV used for SHIFT training at the Sylvania Campus shop. Another alum, Leslie Smith, trains on HVAC building systems at the Swan Island Training Center.

Students and community members can find scholarship and enrollment details at www.pcc.edu/shift.