News
August 15, 2006
Contact: Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Suzy Ames, Director of Communications, SBCTC, 360-704-4310
Governor Gregoire Announces Colleges to Offer Opportunity Grants to Low-income Adults
Students receive money for tuition, books, childcare and more; Businesses help design programs that offer job training and a chance at a good paying job
OLYMPIA – Governor Gregoire today announced that the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) has selected ten colleges to receive Opportunity Grants, a brand new program launched by the Washington Legislature last year.
“Washington has reached a critical economic point – in order to be competitive in the global marketplace, business looks to hire highly skilled workers,” said Governor Gregoire. “ These Opportunity Grants will increase access to higher education for low-income students and provide them with an opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge that are in demand in today’s economy.”
Opportunity Grants will allow the ten colleges to implement pilot programs designed to help low-income adults take advantage of higher education opportunities. The colleges, in partnership with local businesses, developed certificate and degree programs for high-demand industries. Qualifying students at these schools will receive financial assistance to help address typical barriers to higher education experienced by low-income adults, such as tuition, books and other program materials, transportation and childcare. The Opportunity Grants are funded with $4 million.
“Opportunity Grants, awarded today by the state board, will offer greater financial support to low-income students,” said board chair Jim Garrison. “Students will be provided with skills and knowledge for jobs that are in demand and have opportunities for pathways to further education and higher level job skills.”
Research conducted by the SBCTC has shown that one year of college-level courses, plus a credential, such as nursing, welding or drafting, represents an economic “tipping point” – the difference between struggling in a low-wage job and having a career that leads to a better life. Opportunity Grants are designed to help more students reach the tipping point and beyond.
“The Legislature is committed to creating opportunities for more students to obtain higher education to succeed in high demand areas that provide family wage jobs and benefits,” said Representative Phyllis Kenney (D, Seattle), who proposed including funding for Opportunity Grants in the 2006 operating budget. “We are focused on keeping the state’s economic prosperity moving forward by meeting employers’ needs with a skilled workforce to be competitive in a global economy.”
The colleges recommended for Opportunity Grants are:
- Bellingham Technical College/Whatcom Community College – allied health, manufacturing and construction, process technology industries and transportation technology;
- Big Bend Community College – child and family education, welding, allied health and office information technology;
- Clover Park Technical College – allied health, construction, environmental science and landscaping;
- Edmonds Community College – allied health, construction, computers, electronics and networking;
- Highline Community College – allied health, education and business;
- Olympic College – allied health and welding;
- Peninsula College – allied health and welding;
- Shoreline Community College – automotive service technician;
- Yakima Valley Community College – allied health, nursing, early childhood education and education; and
- Walla Walla Community College – allied health, medical administration and energy systems technology.
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