Continuous Learning for Individuals, Management & Business

by Warren Banks

U.S. ports are slammed. 

Why? Because of COVID-19, and stimulus payments, which have led to (among other things) a big spike in online orders. 8% of consumer disposable income used to go for air travel, hotels, movie theaters, plus other theater and entertainment in general. Much of this money is now going to buy goods from overseas and causing a shortage of supply, in addition to congestion.

So much of our modern world runs on electricity. Electrical technicians are needed every time a new system needs to be installed, repaired, or maintained. Education for this career has evolved to the point where much of the training is done online. Electrical technician remote training covers the skills needed for the job, including important safety components, to quickly get you into the workforce. Portland needs electrical technicians as one of its high-demand bedrock trades, so training quickly and flexibly benefits you and your community.

Noah Brockman has been working for the PCC Small Business Development Center for 14 years. His specialty these days is in the area of finance -- assisting small business owners in accessing capital to grow their business. He leads the Oregons SBDC statewide Capital Access Team (CAT). This is his story.

Professional bookkeeping is an excellent field for those who have a strong attention to detail and are willing to learn modern accounting software. Forty-one percent or more of professional bookkeepers work with a high school diploma or equivalent, not with advanced degrees or other certifications. This career is in easy access with strong earning potential, so receiving a professional bookkeeping certification is a fantastic way to stand out in a crowded field. 

The push for Bachelor's degrees has increased the popularity of four-year programs and provided many people with career opportunities. However, four-year degrees require a full-time commitment and cost tens of thousands of dollars, posing a huge barrier to many students.

by Instructor, Ann Wagoner

According to the ancients, there are many ways to boost immunity. By looking to the timeless wisdom of India in Ayurveda, the science of life, as well as to Yoga, we can find many simple practices to put in place. Yoga is much more than stretching, it is the union of the polarities of mind, body and consciousness that we can observe in the breath. In Ayurveda, the three pillars of health are: Food, Sleep and Self-Control. The food choices we make influence our health. We can let food to be our medicine. A healthy sleep routine promotes rest, rejuvenation and the removal of wastes from the body. Self-Control (Brahmacharya) is an aspect of health that is often overlooked.

Being bilingual, trilingual, or multilingual in the Portland area poses a variety of opportunities, including becoming a professional interpreter.

Serving more than half a million small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in Fiscal Year 2020, America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) rose to the occasion during a time of unprecedented challenges. From the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, America’s SBDCs were on the job. Providing free, one-to-one business consulting and free or at-cost business training, SBDC consultants, trainers and staff helped America’s small businesses (and the communities they serve) adapt and survive.