Governor Gregoire Announces Colleges to Offer Opportunity Grants to Low-Income Adults

For Immediate Release: August 15, 2006

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.