Rogue Community College is preparing for a significant expansion of career and technical education opportunities in Southern Oregon after its Board of Education approved contracts to construct new Transportation Technology facilities at both the Redwood Campus in Grants Pass and the Table Rock Campus serving Jackson County.
The project represents one of the college’s most substantial investments in workforce training in recent years, aimed at addressing a growing regional and national shortage of skilled transportation technicians while improving access to hands-on education for students across Josephine and Jackson counties.
College officials say the expansion responds directly to industry demand. Across the United States, employers in automotive, diesel, fleet maintenance, and transportation service sectors are facing a wave of retirements among experienced technicians. Federal labor projections indicate tens of thousands of job openings annually over the next decade, largely driven by an aging workforce leaving the trades faster than new workers are entering them.
By establishing modern training facilities at two campuses rather than concentrating resources in a single location, RCC intends to reduce geographic and transportation barriers that can prevent students from pursuing technical education. The dual-campus approach allows residents in both counties greater access to programs without requiring long commutes, a factor educators say plays a significant role in enrollment and completion rates.
The newly approved facilities will support expanded instructional space, updated equipment, and redesigned coursework focused on real-world industry expectations. Programs will include training in automotive repair, diesel technology, fleet systems, and emerging transportation technologies, with an emphasis on practical, hands-on learning environments that mirror modern repair shops and maintenance facilities.
RCC President Randy Weber described the project as both an educational and economic investment. “This project represents an important investment in our students and our region,” Weber said. “Transportation technology careers are essential to our local economy, and these new facilities will allow us to serve more students, modernize instruction and strengthen partnerships with industry and the community.”
Local employers have increasingly voiced concerns about workforce shortages affecting everything from commercial trucking fleets to municipal vehicle maintenance operations. Industry representatives have worked with the college during the program redesign process, providing input on curriculum updates intended to better prepare graduates for immediate employment.
College administrators say employer feedback has already been positive, particularly regarding the restructuring of first-year instruction to introduce students earlier to industry standards, safety practices, and diagnostic technologies now common in modern transportation systems. Advances in vehicle electronics, emissions systems, and alternative propulsion technologies have significantly changed technician training requirements compared to previous generations.
The expansion also reflects a broader shift within community colleges nationwide toward strengthening career and technical education pathways that lead directly to living-wage employment. Transportation technology programs often provide students with shorter training timelines and opportunities to enter stable careers without pursuing traditional four-year degrees.
Officials note that Southern Oregon’s economy relies heavily on transportation infrastructure, from agriculture and timber operations to logistics, construction, emergency services, and small business fleets. Maintaining that infrastructure depends on a reliable pipeline of trained technicians capable of servicing increasingly complex vehicles and equipment.
Construction planning is now underway, with timelines and additional program details expected to be released as the project progresses. RCC leaders say collaboration with workforce development organizations, local businesses, and regional partners will continue throughout construction to ensure the facilities meet evolving industry needs.
Once completed, the expanded Transportation Technology program is expected to increase enrollment capacity, strengthen workforce readiness, and provide new career pathways for students seeking technical education close to home. For RCC and the surrounding region, the investment signals a long-term effort to align education with economic demand while supporting the next generation of skilled trades professionals in Southern Oregon.