Governor Gregoire Announces Job Training Grant

For Immediate Release: September 20, 2007

$60,000 grant awarded to Bellingham Technical College and Alcoa

FERNDALE � Governor Gregoire today announced a new training partnership between Bellingham Technical College (BTC), Alcoa Intalco Works and the State of Washington.

BTC has partnered with the Alcoa Intalco Works aluminum smelter facility near Ferndale to deliver job training to new and existing employees.

The $60,000 grant, funded by Washington�s Job Skills Program (JSP), was awarded to BTC will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Alcoa.

JSP funds training customized to meet employers' specific needs. Through the JSP, training is delivered to new or current employees at work sites or in classrooms.

Training for Alcoa employees will include customized classes in electro-mechanical technology in the field of industrial maintenance. Courses will include electrical circuits, electronic controls, welding and instrumentation.

Employees will get paid while in training and will earn college credit that they may apply toward an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Industrial Maintenance if they choose to continue their studies.

Alcoa -- the world's leading producer and manager of aluminum products and alumina facilities -- has had a long working relationship with Bellingham Technical College in meeting their needs for a skilled workforce.