Recognizing that its own staff cuts are at least part of the problem, Plum Creek has given $60,000 to Flathead Valley Community College for worker retraining.

The donation will expand classes in heavy equipment operation, electrical technology, welding, furniture and cabinetry and building trades.

The college has a state-of-the-art occupational trades building and program, where workers can get retraining and certifications in everything from carpentry to welding to high-tech milling machines.

With layoffs at Plum Creek, Semitool and the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co., demand for college programs is at an all-time high, noted President Jane Karas. In addition, Semitool recently announced it could layoff even more staff. It laid off about 200 last year.

Currently about 175 students are enrolled in some sort of advanced occupational training at the college and another 121 are waiting to enroll, Karas said.

FVCC has partnered with Flathead Job Service to advise dislocated workers on education and training opportunities. Those who qualify for the Workforce Investment Act, Dislocated Worker and/or Trade Adjustment Assistance programs may take advantage of the retraining offered at the college while continuing to collect unemployment benefits. The programs will provide tuition, books and related fees.

"We believe Flathead Valley Community College offers the kind of practical and relevant training that will help former manufacturing workers find jobs in the near future. We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the college to help members of our community get back to work," said Hank Ricklefs, Plum Creek's vice president of Northern Resources and Manufacturing.

Ricklefs also admitted that some of Plum Creek's cuts have contributed to the problem, and this was a way for the company to give back to the community and the college.

Bill Roope, director of technical education for the college, said the funds will be used to purchase additional equipment and supplies so that students can get higher certifications in certain trades, like welding.

It's anticipated that welders will be in high demand as the economic stimulus package gets going and highway and bridge work starts this summer.

In order to weld on those projects, workers need an industrial certification.

In addition, it's expected there will be a demand for cabinet workers as funds are poured into school systems for remodeling, Roope noted.

Plum Creek will also loan the college equipment for use in retraining.

The company shut down its Ksanka mill in Lincoln County recently, and some of that equipment could be used at the college for retraining.