Local 'skills center' sought
Friday, February 15, 2008 6:02 AM PST
By Carrie Pederson
Printable version
E-mail this articleLocal educators are in the early stages of developing a "skills center" that would expand job training opportunities in the region.
Where the center would be located, who it would serve and what types of training it would offer are not clear. It's even possible the center could be spread among several different locations.
Educators say they want to move quickly to take advantage of the Legislature's willingness to fund such centers statewide.
A bill to allocate $103 million for construction of skill centers is under the lawmaker's consideration now.
"There's a lot of momentum with the Legislature" to build skills centers, said John Aultman of the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "We would like to do as much as we can now."
He met in Kelso recently with representatives from local school districts, cities, chambers of commerce and employment agencies to discuss locating a skills center in Cowlitz County.
While several skills centers already exist around the state, including one in Vancouver, there is no "one size fits all" model, said Mark Rosin, deputy school superintendent in Longview.
Programs could be hosted at several sites - high schools, hospitals or community colleges, said Aultman.
Programs could be offered in the evening, online or during the summer to fit the needs of a wide range of students.
In addition to training for the workforce, the center could provide credit retrieval programs, a WASL remediation programs, even Advanced Placement classes, Aultman said.
The goal will be to train students in skills employers are seeking. Skills centers, Aultman said, are "market driven all the way."
School districts have been wary of skills centers in the past because they didn't want to lose students, staff and funding, Rosin said.
With the state funding the centers more aggressively, districts wouldn't lose money by sending students to a skills center.
The next step is that area school officials will discuss "what's needed in the community and what will impact existing programs," said Lisa Nisenfeld, Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council.
4thekids wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:19 PM:
OSPI really sincere in supporting CTE? wrote on Feb 15, 2008 6:50 PM:
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