Peninsula College Awarded Workforce Development Funds
Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 31, 2025
Port Angeles, WA – The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges recently selected Peninsula College as one of 12 community and technical college projects to receive workforce development funds. Peninsula College will enhance its Construction Technology Program curriculum with cutting-edge CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology. This grant will fund the acquisition of a large-scale 5’ x 10’ CNC machine and several Shaper Origin handheld CNC units, significantly expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students.
This investment marks a major step forward in preparing students for the evolving demands of the construction and woodworking industries. With these advanced tools, students will gain valuable experience in digital fabrication and precision cutting techniques used in modern construction and manufacturing.
The CNC machines will be integrated into multiple areas of the program, including:
Mass Timber, Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), and Timber Frame Construction: Students will learn to cut and prepare complex joinery with precision, gaining skills that are increasingly in demand in sustainable and large-scale wood construction.
Cabinetry and Custom Woodworking: In the Cabinetry class, students will use the CNC machines to cut and label cabinet parts for both production-style builds and custom projects, streamlining workflow and enhancing accuracy.
“This grant allows Peninsula College to bring industry-standard technology directly into the hands of our students,” said Brien Kneidl, associate dean of Workforce Programs. “It’s an exciting opportunity to bridge traditional craftsmanship with modern digital tools, giving our graduates a competitive edge in the workforce.”
The new equipment is expected to be installed and operational by Winter quarter 2026, with training modules incorporated into the upcoming academic year.
This funding comes from the State Board’s Workforce Development Fund (WDF) program, which includes Invest in Washington funding. The awarded projects reflect the WDF’s commitment to fostering economic growth, supporting innovative programming, and addressing critical workforce needs across Washington state.
For more information about the Construction Technology Program at Peninsula College, visit https://pencol.edu/program/construction-technology.
