Bend, OR -- Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Oregon on the Returning Education to the States Tour.
Secretary McMahon visited Central Oregon Community College (COCC) in Bend, Oregon, meeting with campus leadership to discuss the college’s aviation training programs and regional workforce needs. The visit included tours of COCC’s helicopter and airplane facilities, with demonstrations of both flight simulators. Instructors and students provided program updates and described how the college’s hands‑on training prepares learners for aviation careers.
Secretary McMahon then visited Crook County High School and toured a health occupations class, seeing how high school students are exposed to healthcare career paths before they even graduate. Secretary McMahon then toured Crooked River Elementary and visited several classrooms.
“Central Oregon has strong examples of how workforce pathways in K-12 and postsecondary education are critical to developing our nation’s skilled workforce,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Central Oregon Community College's aviation program and Crook County High’s health occupations class provide valuable insights into how responsive, hands‑on programs can meet regional workforce needs. By gathering best practices from institutions like this, we can help replicate successful training models and ensure students are prepared for high‑demand careers.”
Background:
On her Returning Education to the States Tour, Secretary McMahon is traveling to all 50 states to hear directly from teachers, parents, and community leaders about what is working in their communities for their students and compile a toolkit of best practices to distribute to states.
Learn more about Secretary McMahon’s Returning Education to the States Tour here.