Skills Center to Open in the Fall

WAITSBURG - Representatives from Southeast Area Technical Skills Center (SEATECH) have been visiting partnering districts to make high school sophomores and juniors aware of the programs they will offer in the upcoming 2014-15 school year. Construction of the new $11,519,000 SEATECH facility - built largely with state funds, at no cost to local taxpayers - is on track, and classes are scheduled to begin this fall.

The Center, located on the Walla Walla Community College campus just off Isaacs Avenue, will offer four programs in 2014-15, and plans on future expansion. According to the SEATECH website, the Center is a branch campus of the Tri-Tech Skills Center in Kennewick, but operates as an independent, publically funded skills center offering high school students tuition-free career and technical education.

Current offerings include Digital Media, Advanced Manufacturing and Welding, Sustainable Energy and Health Science. Students successfully completing the Health Science program and clinical internship will be eligible to take the Washington State Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Exam. The Center will work closely with area high schools and WWCC to ensure students meet graduation and transfer requirements.

The Center initially plans to serve 60 students with 75 percent of the student slots filled by Walla Walla High School and Lincoln High School students. The remaining 25 percent will be split evenly between partnering districts: Waitsburg, Dayton, Prescott, Touchet and College Place. Students will attend either morning or afternoon class blocks.

Approximately three students will be accepted from each partner district. Students must be high schools juniors or seniors in the 2014-15 school year, and must be on track to meet graduation requirements while taking classes at the center. Students may apply to the Skills Center through their local high school counselor. Several students from area schools have expressed interest in taking advantage of the program.