PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College will soon bring high-tech tools into its Construction Technology Program, thanks to a state grant aimed at strengthening workforce training across Washington. The college was recently awarded funding through the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges’ Workforce Development Fund, joining 11 other institutions selected for innovative program investments.
With the grant, Peninsula College will acquire a large-scale 5-foot-by-10-foot CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine along with several handheld Shaper Origin units. These tools will allow students to gain hands-on experience with the kind of digital fabrication and precision-cutting techniques that are increasingly central to modern construction and manufacturing.
The equipment will be integrated into several key parts of the program. In coursework focused on timber construction—including cross-laminated timber (CLT) and traditional timber framing—students will learn to cut complex joinery with a level of accuracy difficult to achieve by hand. In cabinetry and custom woodworking classes, students will use the machines to cut and label cabinet components for both production-style and one-of-a-kind projects, improving efficiency and precision on the shop floor.
According to Peninsula College, the CNC upgrades reflect a growing emphasis on merging traditional skills with emerging technologies, giving graduates a competitive edge as they enter the workforce. The college expects the new equipment to be installed and operational by winter quarter 2026, with new training modules phased in during the upcoming academic year.
Funding for the project comes from the Workforce Development Fund, which includes Invest in Washington resources and supports initiatives that foster economic development and respond to labor market needs throughout the state.