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This content was published: September 8, 2005. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

PCC: Open for Business

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PCC is open for business. Cher Hinerman, a former Fortune 500 strategist and veteran leader of industry-education partnerships at state and national levels, has joined PCC as its first director of the new Center for Business and Industry (CBI).

In her new role, Hinerman will focus on connecting local businesses with the college’s full spectrum of human resource development services: staffing, sourcing, education, training, and workforce development. Her first objective, says the 21-year Intel Corporation veteran, is increasing access for businesses while diminishing barriers for students.

"PCC delivers noncredit training for highly demanded workforce skills in technology and health care plus academic programs for credit and degrees," Hinerman says. "If companies need to hire, we have graduates. If companies need to redeploy, we have workforce training centers. Our specialists work one-one-one with disabled veterans or displaced workers, too."

A Portland resident, Hinerman earned a master’s degree in adult education training at Oregon State University and chaired the Oregon and Southwest Washington Semiconductor Workforce Consortium three times. She brings 15 years of experience as a strategic partner with PCC to her new post.

The new Center for Business and Industry combines all of PCC’s services for business under one umbrella and provides a single point of contact. It will create a vital institutional focus and commitment to businesses as valued clients and key partners in the development of a strong workforce within the community.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »