Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 25, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Sharron Sellers, Edmonds Community College, 425-640-1423 or Kristin Alexander, WorkFirst, 360-902-9307
“This program is a testament to the enduring power of the American dream and the struggle to make that dream come true for more of our state’s low-wage earners,” Locke said.
Speaking to the graduates, the governor said, “What you’ve achieved in the last six months is a testament to your strength of character, your intelligence and your commitment to building a better future for you and your children.”
Edmonds Community College was the first in the state to create an information technology-training program just for welfare recipients.
Locke allocated welfare-grant savings to the program to demonstrate how this training model can be used to meet the needs of employers and give low-income families the opportunity to improve their lives.
Fifteen students selected from 47 applicants began their training at Edmonds Community College in February. The graduates, who range in age from 20 to 45, include single parents and disabled workers. All completed the training, which included an industry-related internship. Thirteen recently passed exams to earn software or hardware certificates. Most are now in the job search process.
“This opportunity has changed my family’s life 110 percent. I’m so grateful for this chance at a successful life,” said Sheryl Anderson, 20, a single mother living in north Seattle. “If it were not for this training program, I would still be trying to just get by.”
Steve Saldana, 33, of Lynnwood, also spoke highly of the training at Edmonds Community College. Saldana, who addressed his fellow graduates during today’s commencement, passed all the certification exams and is currently enrolled at Edmonds in more advanced networking courses.
“The program has given me a tool in a highly competitive job market and has provided me with a secure foundation in my life,” Saldana said. “The gift of learning has awakened me.”
“Today, we have a new system -- a system that recognizes that the route out of poverty begins with a job,” Locke continued. “That’s why WorkFirst’s motto is ‘a job, a better job, a better life.’”
WorkFirst helps families become self-sufficient by providing experience, training and support services necessary for parents to get a job, keep a job and move up a career ladder. WorkFirst is based on the belief that everyone has abilities needed in today's workforce, and those who can work should.
As of May 2001, more than 145,000 WorkFirst participants have gone to work since the program began in 1997. In that same period, the state’s welfare caseload dropped by 44 percent. Most importantly, the proportion of families on welfare in Washington is at its lowest point in 30 years.
“Today, our economy is driven by new, high-tech industries that are changing the way we live, work and learn,” Locke said.
“But the benefits of these new jobs have mostly been confined to those who have access to the kind of education and training that you’ve just received,” the governor told the graduates. “That’s why one of the important goals of WorkFirst is to create more educational programs like this one, for more people like you.”
Joint news release by the Office of the Governor, Edmonds Community College and Washington WorkFirst
Related Links:
- Edmonds Community College Highlights
- Washington WorkFirst
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 25, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Sharron Sellers, Edmonds Community College, 425-640-1423 or Kristin Alexander, WorkFirst, 360-902-9307
Locke praises new college program that prepares welfare recipients for information technology careers
LYNNWOOD – Gov. Gary Locke congratulated the first graduates of a pilot information technology-training program at Edmonds Community College today. The college created the innovative program to train participants in WorkFirst -- Washington’s welfare-to-work strategy -- for well-paid, high-demand jobs in computer-related occupations.“This program is a testament to the enduring power of the American dream and the struggle to make that dream come true for more of our state’s low-wage earners,” Locke said.
Speaking to the graduates, the governor said, “What you’ve achieved in the last six months is a testament to your strength of character, your intelligence and your commitment to building a better future for you and your children.”
Edmonds Community College was the first in the state to create an information technology-training program just for welfare recipients.
Locke allocated welfare-grant savings to the program to demonstrate how this training model can be used to meet the needs of employers and give low-income families the opportunity to improve their lives.
Fifteen students selected from 47 applicants began their training at Edmonds Community College in February. The graduates, who range in age from 20 to 45, include single parents and disabled workers. All completed the training, which included an industry-related internship. Thirteen recently passed exams to earn software or hardware certificates. Most are now in the job search process.
“This opportunity has changed my family’s life 110 percent. I’m so grateful for this chance at a successful life,” said Sheryl Anderson, 20, a single mother living in north Seattle. “If it were not for this training program, I would still be trying to just get by.”
Steve Saldana, 33, of Lynnwood, also spoke highly of the training at Edmonds Community College. Saldana, who addressed his fellow graduates during today’s commencement, passed all the certification exams and is currently enrolled at Edmonds in more advanced networking courses.
“The program has given me a tool in a highly competitive job market and has provided me with a secure foundation in my life,” Saldana said. “The gift of learning has awakened me.”
“Today, we have a new system -- a system that recognizes that the route out of poverty begins with a job,” Locke continued. “That’s why WorkFirst’s motto is ‘a job, a better job, a better life.’”
WorkFirst helps families become self-sufficient by providing experience, training and support services necessary for parents to get a job, keep a job and move up a career ladder. WorkFirst is based on the belief that everyone has abilities needed in today's workforce, and those who can work should.
As of May 2001, more than 145,000 WorkFirst participants have gone to work since the program began in 1997. In that same period, the state’s welfare caseload dropped by 44 percent. Most importantly, the proportion of families on welfare in Washington is at its lowest point in 30 years.
“Today, our economy is driven by new, high-tech industries that are changing the way we live, work and learn,” Locke said.
“But the benefits of these new jobs have mostly been confined to those who have access to the kind of education and training that you’ve just received,” the governor told the graduates. “That’s why one of the important goals of WorkFirst is to create more educational programs like this one, for more people like you.”
# # #
Joint news release by the Office of the Governor, Edmonds Community College and Washington WorkFirst
Related Links:
- Edmonds Community College Highlights
- Washington WorkFirst
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