Information Regarding New Programs
Washington’s community and technical colleges play a significant role in educating our workforce for today and tomorrow. Two-year colleges prepare students to for a four-year degree, get training for high paying jobs, and gain adult literacy education to earn livable wage jobs. New, exciting programs are coming online to expand the role of community and technical colleges:
See our Colleges Directory to connect with a local college
Contact Suzy Ames, Director of Communications, at sames@sbctc.ctc.edu State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to learn more ways colleges can make a difference for local communities and the state.
Customized Employee Training
Two programs offered through Washington’s community and technical colleges provide significant cost savings for employers needing customized employee training.
The Customized Training Program is a training program for new and expanding businesses in Washington. Beginning July 2006, applications will be accepted from businesses expanding in or re-locating to Washington state to participate in the Customized Training Program. Applications must be jointly submitted by businesses that are partnered with a community, technical or private vocational college. The program assists businesses with the up-front costs of customized training for employees and provides a business and occupation (B&O) tax credit for 50 percent of the cost of training.
See our Customized Training brochure (pdf 1.54mb) for additional program information.
The Job Skills Program is a training program that provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for businesses that need help training new or existing employees. The program awards grants to licensed educational institutions that partner with businesses to design and deliver short-term, customized training solutions. To find a customized training specialist near you, contact Carolyn Cummins at 360-704-4339 or ccummins@sbctc.ctc.edu, or contact your local community or technical college continuing education director.
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Opportunity Grants
The two-year colleges are implementing the Opportunity Grant program that allows low-income adults to reach the educational “tipping point” and beyond. Reaching the “tipping point” means students complete 45 college credits and receive a credential in a high-wage, high-demand career. The program is designed to move the least prepared students faster and further through the community and technical college system.
For additional information, contact Ronelle Funk, Policy Associate for Student Services, at rfunk@sbctc.edu.
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I-Best
Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) programs place English as a second language/adult basic education instructor and professional-technical instructors in the classroom to link literacy education and workforce skills. Research shows this method helps students reach a critical tipping point: One year of college-level courses, plus a credential such as nursing, welding or drafting represents an economic. This is the difference between struggling in a low-wage job and having a career that leads to a better life.
What started out as a pilot program has now progressed to almost 20 colleges offering these programs.
For additional information, contact Tina Bloomer, Director of Student Achievement, at tbloomer@sbctc.ctc.edu.
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Applied Bachelor’s Degrees
Four colleges will be launching pilot applied bachelor’s degree programs. The colleges were selected to offer programs that meet the needs of their local economy. The programs will add the junior and senior levels of education to a community or technical college degree. The four pilot programs are:
- Olympic College: Associate Degree Nursing to Bachelor’s of Science Nursing
- Peninsula College: Bachelor’s of Applied Science, Applied Management
- South Seattle Community College: Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Hospitality Management.
- Bellevue Community College Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Radiation and Imaging Sciences
For additional information, contact Loretta Seppanen, Assistant Director of Education Services, at lseppanen@sbctc.ctc.edu.
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University Contracts
Three colleges will be launching pilot programs to bring specific university degrees to their campuses, meeting the needs of local employers. The three pilot programs are:
- Clark College and Eastern Washington University: Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Work
- Edmonds Community College and Central Washington University: Bachelor’s of Applied Science-Information Technology and Administrative Management
- Pierce College, Fort Steilacoom and Central Washington University: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (minor in reading)
For additional information, contact Loretta Seppanen, Assistant Director of Education Services, at lseppanen@sbctc.ctc.edu.
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Major Related Programs
To help transfer students better prepare for the junior year, two-year and four-year institutions are working together to create transfer associate degrees outlining the appropriate courses in order for students to be well prepared to enter the major upon transfer – Major Related Program (MRP) Degrees.
Transfer Documents |
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Chart of the Transfer-Ready Path |
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Transfer-Ready Checklist |
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Read details here: http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/college/_e-transferdegrees.aspx
For more information, contact Loretta Seppanen at lseppanen@sbctc.ctc.edu.
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Centers of Excellence
There are 11 Centers across the state at community and technical colleges. Each Center focuses on a targeted industry that drives the state’s economy. The Centers, which are only 1.5 years old, help sustain business and industry’s competitive advantage by offering fast, flexible, quality education and training programs for their targeted industries. The Centers serve as hubs developing curriculum and identifying the needs of industries for all 34 community and technical colleges. The Centers are:
Bellevue Community College is the Center for Information Technology Excellence (CITE), which is affiliated and co-located with the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET). CITE is an information resource and solution provider for model information technology education programs, best practices, up-to-date research, information dissemination, instructor development, and sharing of industry trends impacting employment, education, and business growth across Washington State.
Bellingham Technical College is a Center of Excellence for Process Technology, focusing on education and training related to continuous flow processes and instrumentation for industries such as petroleum refineries, chemical processing plants, food processors, pulp and paper mills and wastewater treatment plants.
Centralia College’s Center of Excellence for Energy Production and Distribution Technology provides leadership for a growing alliance of energy industry and college partners. Together, industry and educational partnerships provide comprehensive degree and certificate programs, on-line courses, and regional classroom training opportunities that focus on the future of the energy industry.
Edmonds and Everett Community Colleges jointly host the Materials and Process Development Center of Excellence. The Center’s mission is to increase the competitiveness of manufacturers using composites and other advanced materials through workforce training and education.
The Washington State Center of Excellence for Careers in Education, housed at Green River Community College, provides support, mentoring, and advising to community colleges and their K-20 partners for the creation and expansion of career-ladder programs in education. The Center provides a yearly best practices conference, a comprehensive web site, curriculum development and dissemination, and training for K-20 instructors and para-professionals.
Pierce College’s Center for Excellence in Homeland Security facilitates and coordinates Homeland Security initiatives with a coalition of 34 community and technical colleges, public agencies, and private sector organizations. The Center provides and brokers dynamic education and training to prepare a skilled workforce to maintain our national security.
Renton Technical College’s Construction Center of Excellence is a resource for industry professionals, colleges, and others interested in preparing a diverse workforce for the construction industry. The Construction Center of Excellence showcases innovative educational offerings, at RTC and elsewhere, and promotes awareness of career pathways within construction.
The Center for Manufacturing Excellence at Shoreline Community College is industry led by an advisory board. Through collaboration among business, industry, education, and community partners, the Center promotes the manufacturing profession and raise awareness of manufacturing careers and educational opportunities throughout Washington State. The Center is a vital resource to help grow and sustain manufacturers’ participation in the global marketplace.
Skagit Valley College is home to the Northwest Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing and Technology. The Center is a hub for innovative discussions, resources, training and education services that create a repository of information and illuminate best practices related to industry trends and emerging technologies to foster economic vitality.
Walla Walla Community College’s Agricultural Center of Excellence provides collaborative leadership in addressing the emerging workforce and economic development interests of rural, urban, and related agriculture in Washington State. The Center is a hub for accessing fast, flexible services and education to meet employer needs.
The Allied Health Center of Excellence, located at Yakima Valley College, is dedicated to addressing Washington State’s healthcare workforce needs of today and tomorrow. Through collaboration and cooperation with industry partners, the center provides innovative programs to prepare qualified and competent health care professionals and leaders for the future.
For information about Centers of Excellence contact Michelle Andreas, Policy Associate Workforce Education, at mandreas@sbctc.ctc.edu.
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