Seattle and the King County community and technical college systems are trying a new model for providing innovative skill-development and training for working adults.

The primary successful elements for a College for Working Adults model is:

• Class schedules that are flexible to meet the demands of hard-working people
• An easy enrollment process
• Strong wrap around services

The key to the success of these programs is that enrollment is easy, the schedules are flexible to meet the demands of hard working people, and strong wrap around services are provided. Seattle and the King County community and technical college systems are trying out a new model for providing skill development and training for working adults.

Why is this important? Research indicates that without at least 45 credits of post secondary education, most working adults never earn wages that adequately support themselves and/or their families. Furthermore, most working adults need on-going education in order to stay on top of technological advances in their workplace. From an economic standpoint, changing the way in which we train and educate working adults will ultimately benefit not just working adults and their families, but also a wide variety of employers. If we train employees for the jobs that companies need to fill, it is a “win win” situation.

SkillUp Washington is funding six new “Proof of Concept” College for Working Adults completion programs. Training institutions include: Eleven King County community, vocational, technical colleges, and one Pierce County four year institution.

The College for Working Adults Proof of Concept Grants are:
To review a description of each of thse pilot programs click here.

1. Bellevue Community College in partnership with five other colleges for a computer operating systems specialist certificate program

2. Highline Community College in partnership with two other colleges for chemical dependency professional certificate training

3. North Seattle Community College in partnership with a technical college for a medical assisting certificate

4. Shoreline Community College in partnership with a technical college for CNC machining

5. Seattle Central Community College in partnership with four other community colleges in early childhood education

6. A planning grant project to be led by South Seattle Community College in partnership with all King County community colleges that will inventory all business tech programs in King County as well as map class progression and enrollment schedules

Approximately 250 working adults will enroll in these programs between Fall ‘09 and Spring ‘10. With the exception of the medical assisting grant, all of these grants are 15 months in length, which includes recruitment and planning time.

All of the CWA grants incorporate the following elements into their new program design:

1. Condensed curriculum design (ie, a year-long certificate program may be compressed to two or three quarters)

2. Reduced complexity of registration (ie, simplified student registration)

3. Flexible class schedules (ie, evenings and weekend courses offered at locations closer to workers. Some classes may be located at employers’ location)

4. Support services integrated with program structure (ie assistance with child care, transportation, housing as well as tutoring and help with course work)

5. Soft skills development, labor market knowledge and job placement assistance (ie, coaching and training on workplace etiquette, communication styles with managers and colleagues)

These programs are expected to provide training modules that would be shared between training institutions and are transferable between colleges.