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Workforce Development and Basic Studies

Workforce Development

Funding. Support. Education. Career.

Strengthening our community by linking education and employment to create a skilled 21st-century workforce.

Think about it...

- Do you need help paying for college?

- Do you need help paying for childcare while going to college?

- Do you need help paying for books and supplies?

- Do you qualify for unemployment benefits?

- Has your financial situation changed?

- Do you receive TANF and would like to attend college?

- Do you currently receive food stamps and would like to keep them while going to college?

- Did you leave the military service within the last 48 months?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, come by and talk to us or call!

The Workforce Development and Basic Studies division at Olympic College is an umbrella for a number of different services for diverse populations: Worker Retraining, WorkFirst, Tech Prep Dual Credit for high school students, Adult Education and GED Preparation, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), the Career Service Center, and Cooperative Education.

The Workforce Dean also oversees Professional Technical (Prof-Tech) Degrees and Certificates.

Workforce Development and Basic Studies Program-Based ContactList

For Basic Studies Staff visit the Basic Studies Home Page

BFET (Basic Food Employment & Training)

The BFET program is a partnership between Olympic College and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) which offers educational and workforce training opportunities to students receiving Basic Food Assistance (food stamps).

Christine Kubli
BFET Program Specialist
360.475.6551

Amber Fitzgerald
Program Assistant for Worker Retraining and BFET
360.475.7555

Career Centers (Student Employment)

The Career Centers at OC Bremerton and OC Shelton provide easy access to a wide range of pre-employment services that assist students in developing self-directed job search skills.

Teresa McDermott
Director of Shelton Campus and Career Centers
360.475.7480 Bremerton campus
360.432.5404 Shelton campus

Roberta Gillis
Program Coordinator 
360.475.7485 Bremerton campus

Continuing Education and Customized Training

Avatar Fitch
Program Assistant,  Continuing Education and Customized Training
360.475.7786

Cooperative Education and Internship Program

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 of Shelton Campus and Career Centers
360.475.7480 Bremerton campus
360.432.5404 Shelton campus

Roberta Gillis
Program Coordinator 
360.475.7485 Bremerton campus

Professional-Technical Degrees and Certificates

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

Amy Hatfield
Dean for Workforce Development and Basic Studies
and Chief Professional-Technical Administrator
360.475.7264

Steve Quinn
Advisor for Professional-Technical Programs,
Bremerton and Poulsbo
360.475.7230

Rose Ferri 
Transitions Coordinator for Worker Retraining and WorkFirst,
Shelton Campus
360.432.5423

Michelle Van Berkom
Fiscal Specialist
360.475.7842

Sharon James
Program Coordinator for Professional-Technical Advisory Committees
360.475.7555

April Lagajeno
Administrative Assistant 3,
Lead for Professional-Technical Faculty Certification
360.475.7556

Tech Prep Dual Credit / West Sound Education Consortium

Tech Prep Dual Credit 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!

Jim Funaro
Director of Tech Prep/ Worker Retraining Transitions Coordinator 
360.394.2706 or Toll Free 1.800.259.6718 ext.2706

Brenda Hale
Program Coordinator, Tech Prep/Perkins
360.475.7353 or Toll Free 1.800.259.6718 ext.7353
Fax: 360.475.6811

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.

Deborah Welsh
Director of Program Development and Worker Retraining
360.475.7849

Jim Funaro
Director of Tech Prep/ Worker Retraining Transitions Coordinator                                                                                                      
Bremerton and Poulsbo Campus
360.432.5423

Rose Ferri
Transitions Coordinator for Worker Retraining and WorkFirst
Shelton Campus
360.432.5423

Amber Fitzgerald
Program Assistant for Worker Retraining and BFET
360.475.7555

WorkFirst

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.

Jane Blackman
Director of WorkFirst and Special Projects
360.475.7847

Pauline Carlton
Transitions Coordinator for WorkFirst
Bremerton and Poulsbo  
360.475.7846 or 360.475.7230

Rose Ferri
Transitions Coordinator for WorkFirst and Worker Retraining
Shelton Campus
360.432.5423

Desiree Rainwater
Program Coordinator for WorkFirst
360.475.7168

Morgan Denton
Program Assistant for WorkFirst
360.475.7841