Centers of Excellence
Centers are flagship institutions that build and sustain Washington’s competitive advantage through statewide leadership. Each Center focuses on a targeted industry that drives the state’s economy and is built upon a reputation for fast, flexible, quality education and training programs. A targeted industry is identified as one that is strategic to the economic growth of a region or state.
Centers are guided by industry representatives to lead collaborative and coordinated statewide education and training efforts to build a competitive workforce in a global economy.
Centers will:
- Maintain an institutional reputation for innovation and responsive education and training delivery to their targeted industry.
- Act as a broker of information and resources related to their targeted industry for industry representatives, community-based organizations, economic development organizations, community and technical colleges, secondary education institutions, and four-year colleges and universities.
- Translate industry research into best practices.
- Provide system coordination, coaching, and mentoring to assist in building seamless educational and work-related systems.
- Build a competitive workforce for driver industries in Washington State.
Centers of Excellence Websites
Agriculture
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.
Allied Health
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.
Aerospace and Advanced Materials Manufacturing
Edmonds and Everett community colleges host the Center
of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Materials Manufacturing. The Center’s mission
is to increase the competitiveness of manufacturers using composites and other advanced materials
through workforce training and education.
Clean Energy
Centralia College’s Pacific Northwest
Center of Excellence for Clean Energy 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.
Construction
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.
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.
Homeland Security
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.
Information and Computing Technology
The Center of Excellence for Information and Computing Technology (CoE for ICT) is hosted at Bellevue College. The CoE for ICT partners with the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET) to provide services, research, programs, and events that serve Washington State community and technical college faculty and students, as well as industry and the K-12 system.
The CoE for ICT performs as an information resource and solution-provider for model information technology education programs, best practices, up-to-date research, information dissemination, instructor professional development in new and emerging technologies. It also provides information on industry trends that impact employment, education, and business growth across Washington State.
International Trade, Transportation and Logistics
The Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics is housed at Highline Community College and led by a statewide advisory committee. The Center facilitates linkages and partnerships among education, business, industry, community partners, and workforce intermediaries, advocating for Washington State both nationally and internationally in international trade, transportation, and logistics.
Marine Manufacturing and Technology
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.
For information about centers of excellence contact Pat Ward.
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