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Job Training

Job Training and Apprenticeships

The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) offers various programs to adults in custody to develop specific skills and assist them in finding a job upon their release from prison. Many of the programs include training and production components that benefit the institution or provide a service for pay. 

Not all institutions offer the same job training programs. For more information on opportunities offered at a specific institution, please contact the facility.

Job Training Programs

Offered at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP), the Automotive Technologies program is a combination of 15 courses that include both lecture and hands-on training. The program takes 12 months to complete, and upon graduation, the trainee will be able to demonstrate various automotive skills.


Offered at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI), the Construction Technology program provides eligible adults in custody the skills needed for employment in the residential construction industry upon their release from prison. The course is self-paced, and includes training through classrooms, videos, groups, computers, and hands-on techniques. Upon graduation, the student will have earned a one year certificate in Building Construction Technology from Treasure Valley Community College, and the certificate is nationally recognized by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

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Offered at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF), the Cosmetology program is a collaboration between the Oregon Department of Corrections, Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority (State Board of Cosmetology). This program typically takes 24 months to complete, and the students will have logged more than 2,300 hours of training when finished. Upon graduation, the student will have earned state licenses in hair design, esthetics, and nail technology.

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​Offered at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF), the Optical Training program is a collaboration between the Oregon Department of Corrections, The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation, and Portland Community College. This program takes about 9-12 months to complete, and upon graduation, the student will have earned a national certification as a Paraoptometric (CPO). With additional training, the student may apply and test for advanced certification. 

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Offered at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution (DRCI), the Welding Program is a collaboration between the Oregon Department of Corrections, Deer Ridge and Central Oregon Community College. The welding program is a self-paced course that takes about 9 months to complete, and includes training through videos, textbooks, classroom, and hands-on techniques. Upon graduation, the student will have earned a certificate from the nationally recognized American Welding Society. 

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  Apprenticeships

Custodial is a registered training program offered at CCCF, EOCI, OSCI, SRCI, and TRCI. The program requires 2,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Related training is offered through self-study and requires passing two exams. Trainees earn their Journey Worker Card, and basic and advanced Cleaning Management Institute certification.

Trainees learn how to keep buildings in a clean and orderly condition, and maintain heavy cleaning duties such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. They are also trained on environmental (green) cleaning techniques as required by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).​

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HVAC is a registered apprenticeship program offered at OSCI and OSP. The program requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Related training (education) is through Penn Foster for a monthly fee. Apprentices earn HVAC/R Journey Worker Card and a Limited Energy B Electrician license.

This program combines sheet metal and electrical work involving installation, wiring, service and repair of environmental control systems and the fabrication and installation of ductwork.​

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Limited Energy Technician, B Class License (LEB) is a registered apprenticeship program offered at CCCF, EOCI, OSP, OSCI, and PRCF. The program requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Related training (education) is through Penn Foster for a monthly fee. Apprentices earn their journey card and a Limited Energy Class B Technician license.

Limited Energy Technicians install, maintain, replace, and repair electrical systems such as data telecommunications, intercom and paging, and other specialized control systems.​


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Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) is a registered apprenticeship program offered at EOCI, SRCI, WCCF, CCCF, and OSP. The program requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Related training (education) is through Penn Foster for a monthly fee. Apprentices earn their journey card and an LME license.

LME apprentices learn how to repair and replace electrical installations in the institutions.​

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Limited Manufacturing Plant Electrician is a registered apprenticeship program offered at DRCI, EOCI, OSCI, OSP, PRCF, SRCI, and TRCI. The program requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Related training (education) is through Penn Foster for a monthly fee. Apprentices earn their journey card and Limited Manufacturing Plant Journeyman Electrician license.

Manufacturing plant electricians provide basic electrical maintenance on existing equipment. They also install and wire electric motors and machinery, perform preventive maintenance, and initiate/modify electrical designs & drawings.​


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Painting is a registered apprenticeship program offered at EOCI, OSCI, OSP, and SRCI.  The program requires 6,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Related training (education) is through Penn Foster for a monthly fee. Apprentices earn a journey card.

Painting apprentices learn how to apply paint and prepare surfaces such as wood, metal, masonry, sheet rock and roads for paint and epoxy application.​

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Structural welding is a registered training program offered at CCCF, DRCI, EOCI, OSP, SCI, SRCI, and TRCI. The program requires 2,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Successful trainees earn their journey card and American Welding Society (AWS) certification in multiple processes.

Apprentices learn to set up and operate a variety of welding & cutting equipment. They learn a variety of welding techniques in the overhead and vertical positions.​


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Boiler operator is a registered apprenticeship program offered at OSP and EOCI. The program requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Related training (education) is through Penn Foster for a monthly fee. Apprentices earn a Journey Worker Card and are eligible to test for a boiler operator class 3 license.

Boiler operators are responsible for the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of boilers and related equipment. This includes water testing.


Cabinet making is a registered apprenticeship program offered at SRCI. The program requires 6,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Related training (education) is through Penn Foster for a monthly fee. Apprentices earn a Cabinet Making Journey Worker Card.

The program trains the apprentice to set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines and uses various hand tools to fabricate and repair wooden cabinets and high-grade furniture. Additional learned skills include plan-sequence of cutting or shaping operations based on blueprints and shop drawings. 


Culinary is a registered training program offered at DRCI, PRCF, SCI, SRCI, and WCCF. The program requires 2,000 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Trainees take the Food Safety Manager exam and must have a current food handler card. Trainees earn a journey card and the food safety manager card.

They learn how to prepare and serve food, bake, work in the dish room and warehouse, and prepare food for special diets.


Plumbing is a registered apprenticeship program offered at CCCF, DRCI, EOCI, OSCI, OSP, SRCI, and TRCI. The program requires 7,700 hours of on-the-job training in specific work processes. Related training (education) is through Penn Foster for a monthly fee. Apprentices earn a journey card and plumbing license.

Plumbers install, maintain, and repair water, drainage, and gas systems in buildings.​

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