Commercial Sewing, Embroidery & Screen Printing

The Commercial Sewing, Embroidery & Screen-Printing program delivers professional-grade textile and apparel production in a real-world manufacturing environment. From producing the iconic Prison Blues® workwear line to completing custom sewing, embroidery, and screen-printing orders, participants work in a high-volume operation where precision, consistency, and craftsmanship matter.

This program supports both institutional and private-sector clients, offering full-service capabilities that include garment fabrication, branded embroidery, and custom screen-printed designs. Participants learn to meet strict quality and delivery standards while contributing to products used across Oregon and beyond.

Skills & Experience Gained

Participants receive hands-on training in industrial apparel production while developing skills that translate directly to employment in textile manufacturing and related industries. Emphasis is placed on professionalism, production workflow, and quality control.

Key skills include:

• Industrial sewing techniques
• Embroidery and screen-printing processes
• Digitizing and fabrication workflows
• Quality control and inspection
• Equipment operation and basic maintenance
• Workplace safety and production standards

Equipment & Technology

Participants gain experience operating modern, industrial-grade equipment commonly used in commercial apparel manufacturing, including:

• Industrial sewing machines (single needle, serger, cover stitch, bar tack, pocket setter, and more)
• Industrial digitizing equipment
• Multi-head embroidery machines (1–15 head)
• Screen printing and direct-to-film (DTF) printing systems

Software & Systems

The program introduces participants to digital tools used in both production and administrative environments, including:

• Machine-specific proprietary software
• Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access
• Adobe software
• Global Shop Solutions (ERP)

Certifications & Credentials

Participants may earn the following credentials:

• OCE Industrial Technology – Sewing
• OCE Industrial Technology – Embroidery
• BOLI Custodial Services

Participant Perspective

Metal Fabrication & Welding

The Metal Fabrication & Welding program produces durable, high-quality metal products used in real-world environments, including industrial sanders, park equipment such as fire rings and benches, and custom-fabricated components tailored to client needs. Participants work in a production setting that emphasizes precision, safety, and adherence to industry standards.

Through a comprehensive training pathway, participants develop skills aligned with careers in welding, fabrication, and skilled trades. The program combines hands-on instruction with professional expectations, preparing individuals for competitive employment in the metal trades.

Minimum-custody participants may continue advancing their skills at The FORGE, where they apply foundational training to complex, real-world projects. Work at The FORGE integrates both metal and wood fabrication and may include installing fabricated components onto customer chassis, refurbishing trailers, building tiny homes, constructing boat docks, and more – providing experience that supports career growth and post-release employment.

Skills & Experience Gained

Participants gain hands-on experience in metalworking processes commonly used across fabrication shops and industrial environments, with an emphasis on safety, accuracy, and quality.

Key skills include:

• Metal fabrication and welding techniques
• Blueprint reading and layout
• Cutting, forming, and shaping metal
• Structural and precision welding
• Surface preparation, finishing, and coating
• Quality control, inspection, and safety compliance

Equipment & Technology

Participants operate a wide range of industrial equipment found in professional fabrication and welding shops, including:

• Horizontal and vertical band saws
• Chop saws and cut-off saws
• Manual and CNC plasma cutters
• Oxy-acetylene torches
• Ironworker machines and shears
• Hydraulic shop presses
• Press brakes
• Tube benders and pipe notchers
• Plate and sheet rollers
• Drill presses and magnetic drills
• Lathes and milling machines
• MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux Core welders
• Sandblasting cabinets and booths
• Paint booths and industrial sprayers
• Precision measuring tools (gauges, calipers, micrometers)
• Angle, die, belt, and disc grinders

Software & Systems

Participants gain exposure to industry-standard software used for design, fabrication, and production support, including:

• Machine-specific proprietary software
• Cabinet Vision and ActionPress Vision
• Autodesk Inventor, Vault Pro, AutoCAD, and DWG TrueView
• AlphaCam and HyperCam
• 3ds Max and Blender
• Adobe Acrobat Pro, Illustrator, InDesign, Bridge, and Photoshop
• Microsoft Visual Studio, VS Code, Word, and Excel

Certifications & Credentials

Participants may earn widely recognized industry credentials, including:

• OCE Industrial Technology – Metal Fabrication & Welding
• NCCER Core
• NCCER Welding Levels 1–3
• NCCER Project Management
• BOLI Welding Apprenticeship
• AWS qualification cards for advanced welds (including 3G and 4G)

Participant Perspective

Wood Fabrication & Upholstery

The Wood Fabrication & Upholstery program combines traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing methods to produce high-quality furniture and custom wood products. Participants fabricate items such as tables, desks, cabinetry, and architectural components, while the Upholstery operation produces durable seating for offices, educational facilities, and custom projects, including bus seating.

Working in a production environment that mirrors private-sector manufacturing, participants learn to meet detailed specifications, maintain consistent quality, and deliver finished products built for long-term use. This program emphasizes precision, durability, and attention to detail – skills that translate directly to careers in woodworking, furniture manufacturing, upholstery, and construction-related trades.

Skills & Experience Gained

Participants develop hands-on skills across both wood manufacturing and upholstery disciplines, preparing them for a wide range of skilled trade and production roles.

Key skills include:

• Wood fabrication and furniture construction
• Cabinetry and casework production
• Upholstery pattern creation and reverse engineering
• Sewing, surging, top-stitching, and furniture covering
• Assembly, finishing, and surface preparation
• Blueprint reading and specification interpretation
• Quality control and workplace safety

Equipment & Technology

Participants gain experience operating industrial woodworking and upholstery equipment commonly found in professional shops, including:

• Standard and CNC saws and routers
• Planers and edgebanders
• Tenoning and doweling machines
• Drill presses and boring machines
• Hand and power sanding equipment
• Precision measuring tools and calipers
• HVLP spray guns
• Pneumatic nailers and staplers
• Drills, drivers, and oscillating multi-tools
• Veneer presses and laminate trimmers

Software & Systems

Participants are introduced to design, production, and support software used in modern manufacturing environments, including:

• Machine-specific proprietary software
• Cabinet Vision and ActionPress Vision
• Autodesk Inventor, Vault Pro, AutoCAD, and DWG TrueView
• AlphaCam and HyperCam
• 3ds Max and Blender
• Adobe Acrobat Pro, Illustrator, InDesign, Bridge, and Photoshop
• Microsoft Visual Studio, VS Code, Word, and Excel

Certifications & Credentials

Participants may earn industry-aligned credentials, including:

• OCE Industrial Technology – Wood Manufacturing
• OCE Industrial Technology – Upholstery
• NCCER Core
• NCCER General Carpentry and Cabinetry
• NCCER Project Management

Participant Perspective

Sign Fabrication

The Sign Fabrication program produces a wide range of high-quality signage used throughout Oregon's communities. From traffic and street signs to interior wayfinding, office signage, school displays, and custom signs for state parks and public buildings, participants create products that are both functional and visually precise.

This program blends graphic design, digital production, and hands-on fabrication in a professional manufacturing environment. Participants work with real specifications, regulatory standards, and client requirements to produce signage that meets durability, visibility, and safety expectations. Whether fabricating outdoor signs designed to withstand the elements or creating detailed indoor displays, participants learn how to deliver consistent, professional results.

Skills & Experience Gained

Participants develop a broad set of technical and production skills that prepare them for careers in sign manufacturing, graphic production, and related trades.

Key skills include:

• Sign design fundamentals and layout
• Interpretation of specifications and production requirements
• Operation and maintenance of sign fabrication equipment
• Material selection, handling, and finishing techniques
• Quality control, accuracy, and compliance standards
• Team-based production workflow and job tracking
• Workplace safety protocols

Equipment & Technology

Participants gain hands-on experience with industry-standard sign fabrication equipment, including:

• Power saws and shaping equipment
• CNC routers
• Rotary engravers
• Vinyl cutters
• Dell computer workstations
• Paycom timekeeping systems

Software & Systems

The program introduces participants to commonly used design, production, and administrative tools, including:

• Machine-specific proprietary software
• AutoCAD
• Adobe software
• Microsoft Word and Excel
• Global Shop Solutions (ERP)
• Paycom HRIS

Certifications & Credentials

Participants may earn:

• OCE Industrial Technology – Sign Fabrication

Participant Perspective

Garment & Sewing

The garment program was established in the late 1980s to provide clothing to Oregon's prison population as well as provide job skills to the adults in custody that participate in the program. Today, OCE not only clothes over 14,000 adults in custody, but also manufactures the Prison Blues® workwear clothing line.

The staff and AICs in the OCE operations pride themselves in their ability to create products suited for institutions and corrections professionals, as well as the private sector. Custom projects are used to help participants develop problem solving and team work skills. These skills are essential in the job market and help contribute to reentry success.

Embroidery & Screen Printing

The embroidery program provides custom embroidered emblems, clothing, hats, and bags. Individuals working in these programs learn manufacturing skills, multi-tasking, teamwork, communication skills, and how to program and operate digital equipment used in the industry.

OCE embroiders products for government agencies, such as Oregon State Parks and Recreation (volunteer vests and staff uniforms), and DOC (staff uniforms). In addition, OCE works with several non-profit organizations, such as the world-famous Pendleton Round Up, to fulfill their needs. With an in-house training program, AICs learn up-to-date techniques in embroidery and digitizing design. If you've ever purchased a Prison Blues t-shirt, you've seen the results of our quality screen printing program. OCE also applies screen printing to detention uniforms and various other products.

Metal Fabrication

Adults in custody assigned to these programs are trained in a variety of metal fabrication techniques on different types of metals. Fabrication procedures regularly performed include design, grinding, welding, cutting, forming, and finishing of metal products. We manufacture a variety of high-quality metal products at a competitive cost for multiple state and municipal agencies. These products include bus shelters; furnishings for state parks, prisons, hospitals, and colleges; and heavy equipment such as road sanders.

As part of the program, OCE offers trailer refurbishing. This allows AICs to learn additional techniques of repair and replacement in sometimes challenging situations. The training provided in this trailer refurbishing program includes fabrication, welding, painting, electrical wiring and hydraulics. Besides saving state agencies money, this program emphasizes the reduction of materials sent to landfills and recycling centers by utilizing falloff to extend the life of existing products.

Signage

In partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation, the signage program's primary focus is quality. Work teams include highly skilled artists and signage professionals trained in design, layout, and manufacturing. This program provides the opportunity for workers to acquire training and practical experience in computer-aided drafting and design software, sign preparation, and lay-up of high density overlay and aluminum substrate signs. Additionally, some workers will learn to operate CNC router, rotary and laser engraving equipment. Individuals receiving on-the-job training in this program gain knowledge of industry sign design standards.

Upholstery

The Upholstery Shop works in conjunction with wood manufacturing to create our furniture line. AICs learn how to shape foam for comfort and aesthetics, and lay out and sew fabric patterns to cover the products. They build skills for inventory and assembly of frame parts and follow industry standard blueprints and instructions. Program participants also learn the art of making mattresses for dormitory and detention settings, as well as for cabins and yurts found in state and local parks. From meticulous quality control measures to the final shipping techniques, OCE workers develop necessary skills for real-world upholstery work.

Wood

In OCE wood programs, AICs learn to build and deliver quality products to exceed customer needs. They learn skills with both state-of-the-art equipment and manual processes, acquiring the different techniques needed to work with different materials. Skills learned include milling, sanding, assembling, shipping, inventorying, ordering, and more.

Working in a production line, each AIC is taught to check the quality of the work from the previous station. This bolsters the idea of teamwork and enhances soft skills, such as communication, necessary to be successful when re-entering the job market. It also teaches the wood working process from start to finish, expanding their knowledge of the trade and understanding of each stage.