Washington Business Summer 2019 | Washington Business | Page 39

business backgrounder | education & workforce
College saw an opportunity to partner with these employers, including H5 Data Centers, Microsoft, NTT Data, Oath, Sabey Data
Centers, Titan Data Centers and Vantage Data Centers, to develop a systems administration program that prepares students
for entry-level positions in the industry.
The college launched the pilot program that fall. The demand was so great that it started a second cohort in the winter.
Students can earn a certificate in one year or an associate degree in two years; whichever track they choose, they are able to
make valuable connections within the data centers.
“In the first year of the program, the data centers contributed over 2,200 hours to on-site tours, job shadows, project work
and mock interviews,” said Computer Science Specialist Tom Willingham. “This is time they spent directly with our students.”
In addition to time, the data centers have donated equipment and funds for scholarships. The investment they make in the
program pays off as they gain highly qualified employees while strengthening their ties to the community.
“When they hire someone who has been through the program, they’re hiring someone from the local community. These
companies made promises to create new jobs, and they’re
meeting that promise,” Willingham said.
working while learning
Students in the automotive technician program at Shoreline
Community College don’t wait until they graduate to gain
real-life work experience. In fact, they can’t: They are
required to be employed by a local dealership throughout
the two-year program.
Students spend one quarter in the classroom and the next
in the dealership. As they alternate quarters between the
college and their internship, they’re able to learn new skills
and then apply those skills in the workplace. They also grow
their critical thinking skills and develop an understanding of
general business principles.
Participating manufacturers include Toyota/Lexus, Honda,
General Motors, Subaru, Fiat Chrysler, Nissan and Tesla. The
individual program for each dealership operates differently; for
example, the Toyota program requires students to work for six
months at the dealership before they start the program.
“By having them work before they enter the program, we
know they have basic job skills like showing up on time and
having a good attitude,” said Corey Ratner, executive director
of the automotive and advanced manufacturing programs.
Most students who graduate from the program are hired
by their sponsoring dealership. Many of the dealerships also
reimburse tuition costs.
“The dealerships want the best of the best, so they’re willing
to invest,” Ratner says. “If you make it through the program,
you’re on your way.”
preparing for tomorrow
Involving employers is a big component of the construction
management program at Pierce College in Tacoma.
A number of local construction companies, including Absher
Construction, Colvos Construction, Korsmo Construction,
and Lincoln Construction, provide guest speakers and unique
learning opportunities for students. Absher Construction, for
example, hosts a mock bid day. Students are broken up into
teams and work on a construction bid together to simulate
“When they hire someone who has been through
the program, they’re hiring someone from the local
community. These companies made promises to
create new jobs, and they’re meeting that promise.”
—Tom Willingham, computer science specialist,
Big Bend Community College
summer 2019 39