Strengthening our community by linking education and employment to create a skilled workforce.

To accomplish our mission we will:

• Secure resources for the development and enhancement of learning;
• Research, develop and promote group programs based on
  community need;
• Provide seamless transitions into learning environments based on
  individual needs;
• Foster open communication, trust and supportive relationships;
• Exchange information, ideas and services;
• Celebrate accomplishments.

General Contact Information

OC Bremerton

• Amy Hatfield
  Dean for Workforce Development and Basic Studies
  Olympic College
  1600 Chester Ave.
  Bremerton, WA 98337
  360.475.7264
  ahatfield@olympic.edu
   
   
• Cindy Wyman
  Director of Program Development & Outreach
  Olympic College
  1600 Chester Ave.
  Bremerton, WA 98337
  360.475.7849
  cwyman@olympic.edu

OC Shelton

• Rose Ferri
  Educational Adviser for Worker Retraining/WorkFirst
  W 937 Alpine Way
  Shelton, WA 98584
  360.432.5423
  rferri@olympic.edu

Programs

The Workforce Development Department at Olympic College offers a wide variety of services to diverse populations. The following specific programs are offered:

Worker Retraining

Worker Retraining provides Professional-Technical career and academic planning, financial aid, and other services to qualified individuals who have received or been eligible to receive Washington State unemployment insurance benefits within the last 24 months. Displaced homemakers and self-employed individuals may also qualify for funding through this program.

Contact:

• Miste Damrill-Leib
  Educational Advisor for Worker Retraining
  360.475.7230
  
• Rose Ferri
  Educational Advisor for Worker Retraining/WorkFirst, OC Shelton
  360.432.5423
  
• Teresa McDermott
  Director for Worker Retraining & Work Integrated Learning
  360.475.7484

WorkFirst

provides tuition assistance to qualified individuals. The program provides financial aid for wage and skill progression training. This assistance can be applied to any one of more than twenty professional/technical programs offered at Olympic College or to customized job skills training. WorkFirst Work Study and adult basic skills are other potential options.

Contact:

• Cathy Stinson
  Educational Advisor for WorkFirst
  360.475.7230
  
• Rose Ferri
  Educational Advisor for Worker Retraining/WorkFirst, Shelton
  360.432.5423
  
• Jim Friedman
  Director of WorkFirst
  360.475.7847

Professional-Technical Programs

Many courses of study are available. Do you need more focused skills to change careers or advance in your career?

Contact:

• Pat Lyons
  Advisor for Professional-Technical Programs
  360.475.7230
  
• Rose Ferri
  Educational Advisor for Worker Retraining/WorkFirst, Shelton
  360.432.5423

Tech Prep / West Sound Education Consortium

Tech Prep is a program which links high school professional/technical courses with the community college. The goal is to map a seamless path for students interested in professional/technical areas of study. Money and time are saved for eligible students!

Contact:

• Derek Sparks
  Tech Prep Program Director
  360.475.7839
  
• Karen Hanson
  Tech Prep Program Assistant
  360.475.7353

Adult Education (ESL and Basic Studies)

This program offers services focused on the adult learner. These services include:

• Adult Basic Education (ABE)
• GED preparation
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

In Bremerton, the Adult Education Office is located on the Olympic College campus in the Health Occupations Building, 1600 Chester Avenue, Bremerton. In Shelton, Adult Education is provided on the Olympic College Shelton campus at W 937 Alpine Way, Shelton.

Contact:

• Tina Prentiss
  ABE/GED Faculty
  360.475.7538
  
• Elaine Williams-Bryant
  Associate Dean for Adult Education
  360.475.7528
  
• Irene Fjaerestad
  ESOL Faculty
  360.475.7388
  
• Pamela Greig
  ABE/GED Faculty
  
• Gary Thomasson
  ABE/GED Faculty, Shelton
  360.432.5435
  
• Gary McMannon
  ESOL Faculty, Shelton
  360.475.7278
  
• Donna Pedersen
  Program Coordinator, Shelton
  360.475.5400

Cooperative Education and Internship Program
(Work Integrated Learning)

This is a work-based learning program in which students earn college credit for their work experience by setting and attaining specific learning objectives. If you want to learn more about enrolling or if you'd like to hire a cooperative education or intern student, please contact:

• Teresa McDermott
  Director for Worker Retraining & Work Integrated Learning
  360.475.7484
  
• Kelly Copp
  Workforce Development Coordinator, Shelton
  360.432.5431