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Workforce Development and Basic Studies

Workforce Development & Basic Studies

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!

Important information regarding Workforce Development programs:

We are open and offering online and remote services only until further notice.
While email is the prefered method of communication during these circumstances, you can certainly leave a voicemail. We will return your call as soon as we can*.  We appreciate your patience while we work to comply with Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. To see updates on an individual progam's operations and staff contact information, visit their web page. Links to our programs can be found in the "About Us" and "Program Staff" section below.

Workforce Development:
Mon-Thur, 8am - 4:30pm.
Zoom: Admissions Welcome Center Virtual Lobby
Email: ldigiovanni@olympic.edu
Phone: 360-475-7166

 

For the latest Olympic College COVID-19 updates visit: Olympic.edu/about-olympic-college/covid-19-coronavirus-information.

Below are a list of resources to help those affected by COVID-19:

* When we return your call, our phone number will display as "Unknown Caller." Please answer!

Need Money for College?

Take a short, free, anonymous survey that shows you which funding programs fits your needs. You may eligible for assistance with books, childcare, fees, program supplies, tuition, Work-Study!
Start here: StartNextQuarter.org

About Us

The Workforce Development and Basic Studies division at Olympic College is an umbrella for a number of different services for diverse populations: Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD), Adult Education and GED Preparation (Basic Studies), Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET), the Career Center, Cooperative Education and Internships, CTE Dual Credit (formerly Tech Prep) for high school students, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst. 

The Workforce Dean also oversees Professional-Technical (Prof-Tech) degrees and certificates.

Download our Program-Based Contact List for our department contacts.

 

Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET)

BFET can offer you educational and workforce training opportunities if you receive Basic Food Assistance (food stamps). 

You may qualify for BFET if you:

  • Receive or qualify for federal SNAP benefits from DSHS.
  • Are not currently receiving TANF.
  • Have an employment goal and intend to go to work after completing training.
  • Want to pursue an approved Professional-Technical program of study (no transfer degrees) related to an employment goal.
  • GED preparation classes, High School Diploma for adults 18+ (HS+), Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs may also be considered if necessary to achieve employment goal.

Learn more on the BFET webpage.

 

Opportunity Grant

You may be eligible to receive funds to cover tuition, mandatory fees, and books up to 45 credits.

You may qualify for the Opportunity Grant if you:

  • Are a Washington State resident.
  • Have not obtained a college degree.
  • Meet income guidelines.
  • Are successfully passing your classes.
  • Have applied for FAFSA.
  • Are currently enrolled in an Opportunity Grant approved program of study.
  • Are committed to completion.

Learn more on the Opportunity Grant webpage.

 

WorkFirst

The WorkFirst Program can provide you financial assistance if you receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and have been referred for education and training by Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) or other WorkFirst partner agency. WorkFirst Work-Study positions are also available on a limited basis to you as well as referral to Working Connections Childcare for funding assistance with childcare related to school and work activities.

WorkFirst Program can offers you...

  • Financial assistance towards tuition, fees, books, and program supplies.
  • Work-Study: Combining learning and work.
  • Educational advising related to Professional-Technical programs.

Learn more on the WorkFirst webpage.

 

Worker Retraining

The Worker Retraining program can provide you tuition assistance and more if you're eligible. If you're looking for new or upgraded skills or a whole new career, we're looking for you.

Worker Retraining may be able to fund your education if you: 

  • Separated from military in last 4 years.
  • Qualified for unemployment in last 4 years.
  • Without a supporting income from a spouse or partner.
  • Were previously self-employed.
  • Need new skills for a better job.

Learn more on the Worker Retraining webpage.

Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)

ABAWD helps adults naviagte a career pathway. To qualify you must be: 18-49 years, physically and mentally able to work, do not have children or dependents, and are enrolled in the SNAP program. 

Jackie Brickham
ABAWD Navigator
(360) 475-7849

Basic Studies

Develop your reading, writing, and math skills needed to pass the GED test or to begin college level work or training. Programs offered are: GED Preparation, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Adult Basic Education (ABE) and High School Diploma for Adults 18+ (HS+).

Teresa McDermott
Associate Dean for Basic Studies & Career Services
(360) 475-7550 

Mele Fuiava
Program Coordinator ABE, ESOL, GED, HS+
(360) 475-7550

Cindy Metcalf
Adult Education Coordinator
(360) 475-7550

Helen Thomson
Office Assistant 3
Shelton Campus
(360) 432-5435

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).

Wendy Fox
Director of CTE Dual Credit and BFET
(360) 475-7494

Odessa Kawai
BFET Program Specialist 2
(360) 475-6551

Career Center (Student Employment)

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

Teresa McDermott
Associate Dean for Basic Studies & Career Services
(360) 475-7480 Bremerton campus

Career & Employment Planning (resumes, interviewing, labor market, career assessment tools) and Career Development Workshops
Carolyn Wright
Program Specialist 3
(360) 475-7480

Online Job & Internship Board and Student Employment (includes WorkStudy and On-Campus)
Sherry Willis
Program Coordinator
(360) 475-7480

Experiential Learning: Internships and Volunteer/Service Learning
Denise Bernard
Adjunct Faculty
(360) 475-7480

Business & Industry Liaison for Experiential Learning
Teresa McDermott
Associate Dean for Basic Studies & Career Services
(360) 475-7480 Bremerton campus

Continuing Education and Customized Training

Allison Smith
Mason County Community Education & Shelton Campus Administrator
(360) 432-5404

CTE Dual Credit/West Sound Education Consortium

CTE Dual Credit (formerly Tech-Prep) is a program which links high school Professional-Technical courses with 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!

Wendy Fox
Director of CTE Dual Credit and BFET
(360) 475-7494

Lynn Hansmeyer
CTE Dual Credit Program Specialist 2
(360) 475-7353

Integrated Basic Education & Skills Training (I-BEST)

Provides students with basic skills support in Professional-Technical and academic classes for select programs. An I-BEST class or program uses a team-teaching approach. Students work with two teachers in the classroom. One teacher provides job training or teach an academic transfer class. The other will teach basic skills in reading, writing, math, English language or employability. 

Mirelle Cohen
Program Coordinator, Faculty
(360) 475-7553

Perkins Funding

Funding for Non-Traditional Training & Employement, Innovation Projects, Leadership Block Grants, and Leadership Special Projects.

Amy Hatfield
Dean for Workforce Development and Basic Studies
and Chief Professional-Technical Administrator
(360) 475-7264

Brenda Hale
Fiscal Specialist 2
(360) 475-7842

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) 475-7345

Sharon James
Program Coordinator for Professional-Technical Advisory Committees
(360) 475-7559

Carla Pizzano
Administrative Assistant 3
Lead for Professional-Technical Faculty Certification
(360) 475-7556

Sue Ahrens
Program Coordinator for OC and Statewide Boot Camps
(360) 475-7807

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.

Ellen Handyside
Worker Retraining Transitions Coordinator 
Bremerton & Poulsbo
(360) 475-7231

Shannon Dunnuck
Transitions Coordinator for Worker Retraining and WorkFirst
Shelton Campus
(360) 432-5423

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 
Bremerton and Poulsbo  
(360) 475-7846 

Shannon Dunnuck
Transitions Coordinator for Worker Retraining and WorkFirst
Shelton Campus
(360) 432-5423

Kelley Sutherland
WorkFirst-Workstudy Program Specialist
(360) 473-2860

Tracee Costa
WorkFirst Program Coordinator
(360) 475-7168

Theresa Gorham
WorkFirst Program Assistant
(360) 475-7841