Bellevue College’s work to help low-skilled adults become more employable through skills training has earned the college national recognition.

It has been selected as a finalist for a 2011 National Bellwether Award for its “It Takes a Village: Strategic Partnerships for Student Success” program.

The Bellwether Awards are conferred by the Community College Futures Assembly, which is sponsored by the University of Florida Institute of Higher Education.

The award recognizes outstanding and innovative programs and practices that other colleges might find worthy of replicating.

Bellevue College’s partners in the program include Hopelink, a community service organization which provides case management services for the project, and Washington State Employment Security, which provides employment services.

Staff from these organizations are located on the Bellevue College campus, working together with college staff to support Workforce Education students who need extra assistance to be able to stay in school, complete their training and find employment.

The Seattle Foundation recently awarded Bellevue College a grant of $80,000 to support the project. The college has also received funding of $70,000 as part of a larger grant for the project awarded to Hopelink by College Spark Washington. The Boeing Company also has supported the program via a grant to Hopelink.

Bellwether Award winners are selected through national competition in three categories: Instructional Programs & Services; Planning, Governance & Finance; and Workforce Development.

Bellevue College is one of 10 nominees selected as national finalists in the Workforce Development category.

The 2011 Bellwether Award winners will be announced at the Community College Futures Assembly being held in January in Orlando, Fla.