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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

A 9-12 month program that includes over 6,500 hours of on-the-job and other related training. This program will lead the apprentice to a Cabinet Making Journey Worker Card. This program will train 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 blue prints and shop drawings.

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A 6 month program that includes over 2,000 hours of on-the-job and other related training. This program will lead the apprentice to a Journey Worker Card, and a Cleaning Management Institute certification (basic & advanced). Apprentices will 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. In addition, apprentices are trained on environmental (green) cleaning techniques as required by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

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A 12-15 month program that includes over 9,000 hours of on-the-job and other related training. This program will lead the apprentice to a 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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A 9-12 month program that includes over 5,000 hours of on-the-job and other related training. This program will lead the apprentice to a Limited Energy Class B Technician license. Limited Energy Technicians can install, maintain, replace and repair electrical systems such as data telecommunications, intercom and paging, and other specialized control systems.

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A 12 month program that includes over 4,000 hours of on-the-job and other related training. This program will lead the apprentice to a Limited Maintenance Electrician license. This program will teach the apprentice how to repair and replace electrical installations in industrial plants, commercial buildings or buildings occupied by the state or a local government.

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A 12-18 month program that includes over 8,000 hours of on-the-job and other related training. This program will lead the apprentice to a Limited Manufacturing Plant Journeyman Electrician license. Manufacturing plant electricians provide basic electrical maintenance on existing equipment in factories and industrial manufacturing facilities. They also install and wire electric motors and machinery, perform preventive maintenance and initiate/modify electrical designs & drawings.

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A 9-12 month program that includes over 6,500 hours of on-the-job and other related training. This program will lead the apprentice to a Journey Worker Card in industrial painting, and learned skills include 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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A 6 month program that includes over 2,000 hours of on-the-job and other related training. This program will lead the apprentice to a Structural Welder Journey Worker Card, and to an American Welding Society (AWS) certification. Apprentices will learn to set up and operate a variety of welding & cutting equipment, and they will learn a variety of welding techniques in the overhead and vertical position.

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A 12-18 month program that includes over 9,000 hours of on-the-job and other related training. This program will lead the apprentice to a Journey Worker Card in structural sheet metal. Sheet metal workers fabricate and install duct work in residential, commercial and industrial facilities for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems; and set up and operate shears, press brakes, hand brakes, bending rolls, welding machines and other related equipment for various projects.

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