Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board Invests $100,000 in Community College’s new Diesel Mechanic Tech Program
COOS BAY, Ore. – Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) is pleased to announce investment in the future of skilled trades with a $100,000 donation tied to the launch of a diesel mechanic technology program at Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC). This donation is the first step toward the college constructing a shop building for the new hands-on training designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in the diesel repair industry.
“At SOWIB, we understand the future of our economy depends on the development of a skilled workforce,” said Sara Stephens, Interim Executive Director of SOWIB. “This program is an important investment in our community’s workforce development and will provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the growing diesel mechanic industry. We are excited to partner with SWOCC to build this essential training infrastructure and ensure that our region remains competitive and well-prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.”
SWOCC will open the diesel mechanic training program in the fall 2025, in a temporary space in a vehicle bay in Umpqua Hall on the Coos Bay campus. Plans are underway to construct a dedicated four-bay shop facility on the campus to accommodate future growth and expanded training opportunities in apprenticeships. Over the next two years, the college will complete site analysis and shop design, while working with SWOCC Foundation on fundraising. The goal is to move the program into the dedicated facility in fall 2026 or 2027.
The program will provide students with entry-level skills in engine and truck maintenance and repair fundamentals, creating a direct pathway to high-paying jobs in industries such as trucking, maritime, fleet management, rail, forestry and agriculture. Graduates will have the opportunity to earn short-term certificates and advanced certifications, equipping them with valuable credentials to secure jobs in high-demand fields. Thanks to a U.S. Department of Labor grant, the College hired Terry Cheyne in January as the lead diesel mechanic instructor to develop curriculum and prepare lab space. Cheyne has 30 years of diesel mechanic industry experience in shop development, business management and technology implementation.
“I am really excited about this. I own a business and have a good team in place to keep it going, freeing me to teach and have a positive outcome that supports businesses,” Cheyne said. “We all hear from mechanic shops ‘I can’t hire anyone’. To have this opportunity is just golden.”
Community and industry backing has been exceptional, with strong participation from local business owners and representatives regionally in trucking, construction, and natural resources. Many have volunteered their expertise to help design the program and have pledged equipment and scholarship donations to support a rapid launch and long-term success.
“This program is a game-changer. Our region’s businesses and agencies have struggled with a shortage of mechanics, and this program will help quickly,” said Patty Scott, college president. “This project is a perfect example that when we work with industry partners, we innovate to meet workforce needs, design hands-on programs, and put students on career paths where they are in high demand immediately when they complete training.”
For more information about the diesel mechanic program, contact instructor Terry Cheyne at (541) 888-7242 or email terry.cheyne@socc.edu
To discuss ways to support the diesel mechanic program start-up, contact SWOCC Foundation by calling (541) 888-7211 or email foundation@socc.edu.
To learn more about SOWIB visit, www.sowib.org or contact us at info@sowib.org.
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