The head of a local program to train people for manufacturing jobs says its a myth to think most of our manufacturing jobs are going overseas.

Chris Redgrave is the director of the manufacturing program for Central Oregon Community College at the Redmond campus.  He has 26 years of industry experience.

He says manufacturing is alive and well in the U.S., but big factories are becoming a thing of the past.  

"One of the things that's happened in the last 20 years or so is that once upon a time there were large 300 and 400 man companies making a wide range of products- now its smaller companies -  with the advent of computers and technology what you see is the average business is made up of less than 10 employees.

He says because of that shift - manufacturing students these days have to be very versatile in the workplace and have the skills to no just make things - but also be able to talk with accountants and engineers. 

He says with the economic downturn his program is very popular- especially for students aged 25 TO 35.  Redgrave was a guest on 1110 KBND's Your Town on Monday.