News
August 10, 2006
Contact: Suzy Ames, Director of Communications, SBCTC, 360-704-4310
Community and technical college board to award ground-breaking new grants
OLYMPIA – The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges will hold a special meeting on August 15 to award ground-breaking grants to community and technical colleges across the state.
“Opportunity Grants, awarded by the State Board, will offer greater financial support to low-income students and provide them with skills and knowledge for jobs that are in demand,” Executive Director Charlie Earl said. “In addition, the High Demand Grants will allow colleges to offer high-tech, expensive programs that meet the needs of the economy.”
Opportunity Grants were created by the Legislature last year and funded with $4 million. Ten colleges have been recommended to the State Board to implement pilot programs that get low-income adults on the higher education path. Students will participate in certificate and degree programs, co-developed by industry and the two-year colleges, to train and be placed in jobs that are in demand. Students will receive financial assistance that helps them address typical barriers to higher education experienced by low-income adults, such as transportation, books and other program materials, and childcare.
“Washington businesses need knowledgeable and skilled workers to remain competitive in a global economy,” Earl said. “This program is ideal because it is designed for low-income adults who need access to high-demand training in order to attain living-wage jobs to support their families.”
Research conducted by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges shows 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 colleges being 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 manufacturing
- Shoreline Community College – automotive service technician
- Yakima Valley Community College – allied health, early childhood education and education
- Walla Walla Community College – allied health, medical administration and energy systems technology
The State Board will also consider a recommendation to award 54 high demand grants to community and technical colleges, totaling $4,238,028.
“High demand grants allow colleges to offer programs with expensive, high-tech equipment in fields with a need for well prepared employees, Earl said.
The State Board will also review its system direction and the 2007-09 operating budget request.
The special meeting is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on August 15. State Board members will participate in this meeting via telephone and video conference call. The audience location is at the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Snyder Conference Room, 319 SE 7th Ave., Olympia.
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The meeting agenda and background materials are posted on the State Board Web site at: http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/general/a_board/
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