Welcome to Women's Programs and
WorkForce Services
Women’s Programs and WorkForce Education Services offer many programs aimed at helping women and men reach their educational and career goals. Our programs assist people who desire to enhance their basic skills and/or need career training to enter or re-enter the work force. Through various degree and certificate programs offered at Seattle Central, students can obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to achieve their professional and personal goals.
Our Women’s Programs staff offer encouragement and personalized guidance and can provide helpful information about resources available on campus and throughout the general community. During the week, we have various community partners on site available to give specific information about their programs such as low-cost health insurance and job search assistance. Our Wednesday Noon Lecture Series on Women in Society is a 2-credit class open to students and visitors alike.
Workforce Education programs include WorkFirst, Worker Retraining, and Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET). For those who qualify, these programs may offer financial assistance with tuition, books and supplies, school fees and student ID cards, as well as help with academic planning and support, testing, job search and placement services. One other available workforce program not housed in our department is Opportunity Grant.
Tales of Success
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WorkStudy Program
Staff say: We have been able to place WorkFirst students in roles and at work sites that have truly helped them to add marketable skills to their repertoire, learn about professional environments new to them, and clarify their long-term career goals.
In some cases, the opportunity allows the student to “show their stuff” and leads directly to a job offer from the employer. Other times the student gains valuable experience to add to their resume so when they are ready to apply for work in their field after school, they will be eligible and meet the minimum requirements for the position.
There are times when WorkStudy provides a chance for an ESL learner to practice their English on the job and this can contribute in leaps and bounds to language skills, which of course improves chances at succeeding in school and securing employment. Or a student may benefit from WorkStudy just by the stability it can provide them in their lives so they can study and learn with full focus.
WorkFirst Program
We get to be "navigators" in helping WorkFirst referred individuals to get into school, sign up for classes, and connect with a support network that will ensure their success. Many times we have heard students say in wonder "I never thought I'd be here".
We reach out to students and are proactive about preparing them for life in college, integrating family life with school life, and helping them to stay in school where they can realize their potential. So for example if a student would benefit from targeted help with their studies, we can include them in our Compass Test Preparation training. If they need counseling or some other community resource in order to confront barriers unique to their situation, we can make direct referrals to other services.
Worker Retraining Program
It's exciting to be able to help pay training expenses for individuals who lost their jobs due to economic changes and for those receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.
- We see students off to a strong start in a new field equipped with specialized skills that help them break through our competitive labor market.
- We've watched the way a professional or technical certificate has worked to open doors to a new position in a new industry.
- We assist students when they want to switch to work that provides them with something different, something welcome in their new career.
- Upgrading job related skills, especially when the new skill puts them in a special employment "niche," leads to students being hired.
