Highline Community College’s Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grants and Basic Food & Education Training (BFET) programs have no more money available for students winter quarter.
“A lot of students have come to us seeking help and we just don’t have the funds,” said John Huber, the director of Workforce Development Services.
The programs provide support services and funds for educational expenses to help get people into the workforce. The programs are funding 375 students winter quarter.
New students hoping to sign up for these programs spring quarter will also face challenges. BFET will be able to help a limited amount of new students. Worker Retraining may have some funding become available later winter quarter.
Also, Worker Retraining and Opportunity Grants, both state-funded programs, could see funding problems in the future because of the state’s current financial woes.
Worker Retraining helps people who are unemployed or facing imminent layoff learn new professional skills to get back in the workforce.
Opportunity Grants help low-income adults take classes for specific high-wage, high-demand careers. The grant covers tuition for short-term programs, as well as some fees, books and supplies.
The BFET program assists needy students with a variety of college-related expenses, including tuition and fees. BFET is available to students who receive benefits through the state Department of Social & Health Services’ Basic Food program, a food and nutrition program for low-income individuals and families.
Workforce Development Services will still offers support services winter quarter. For more information, visit http://flightline.highline.edu/workforce/.
Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening, online and weekend classes.
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