With interest in career and technical education (CTE) programs surging, Oregon Coast Community College is building on its longstanding role in local workforce development to meet the moment.

In early 2026, construction will be ramping up on the college’s Oregon Coast Advanced Technology & Trades (OCATT) Center in Newport.

Envisioned as a hub for hands-on learning and workforce development, OCATT will open new pathways for Lincoln County residents to train, work, and build lasting careers close to home.

When complete in 2027, the 22,000-square-foot facility will provide hands-on training in construction and carpentry, industrial facilities maintenance, maritime technology, HVAC systems, and welding, as well as pre-apprenticeship offerings.

A learning environment without silos

The Center has been designed to reflect the cross-disciplinary nature of today’s industries and trades. Rather than assigning spaces to fixed programs, the building is organized around skill sets.

“From the beginning, the college wanted a space that was incredibly flexible,” said Tyler Whitehead, partner at BNDRY Studio and the project’s CTE consultant.

The architect of record, GLAS Architects, along with design architect Hacker Architects and BNDRY, developed a concept focused on four primary labs: building systems, mechanical systems, electronic systems, and a “dirty build” lab for metalwork, welding, and diesel engines. Complementing them is a flexible learning wing.

“Nothing in the real world happens in silos,” says Christopher Walkup, a principal at GLAS. “We wanted to replicate that sense of collaboration and crossover. You might learn how to use a skill saw in one space, then apply those same safety and problem-solving skills in another.”

That flexibility extends far beyond layout. The building is being designed to evolve as industries and community needs change. That might mean reconfiguring them to host new equipment, supporting new certifications, or aligning with emerging technologies like automation.

“It’s about teaching students how to learn,” Whitehead said. “The programs can shift quickly based on what the community needs, because the building itself is built to respond.”