Bellevue College has been awarded a grant of $145,000 from SkillUp Washington to help low-income working adults and disadvantaged youth succeed in the college’s Operating System Support Specialist training program.
The grant will support a class of 24 students, who will begin their studies in January.
SkillUp Washington – also known as the Seattle-King County Workforce Education Collaborative – is a partnership of nonprofit organizations, community colleges, employers, private foundations and public and private agencies working together to help low-income individuals and local employers meet the demands of a changing economy.
“The need to acquire more advanced skills, through programs such as our Operating System Support Specialist program, is particularly apparent in this economy,” said Darlene Molsen, associate dean of Workforce Education.
“People without some education beyond high school are now and will continue to be at a distinct disadvantage when looking for work because most jobs today – especially new ones being created as the economy grows – require advanced training,” Molsen said.
The grant from SkillUp Washington will provide staff support and emergency funding resources to students.