Workforce Development offers specialized training, funding, and student support to build the foundation for a competitive workforce by responding to business/industry and community needs.
Workforce Development helps with:
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Programs, Program Hours and How to Connect
Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET)
BFET is a training program meant to assist recipients towards their goals of employment.
BFET helps with:
- Keeping your food benefits active while attending school
- Childcare subsidies provided through DSHS
- Required books
- Tools /Uniforms
- Other emergency supports
- Tuition not otherwise covered by Financial Aid
Who's eligible?
If you're receiving Federal food benefits, you may be eligible to receive funding and resource assistance.
How do I get started with BFET?
Call our offices at 253-589-4311 or email WFD_Eligibility@kidsnschools.com
Office hours
Mon-Thurs 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Fri 7:30 am - 12 pm
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Opportunity Grant (OG)
What is Opportunity grant?
Opportunity Grant (OG) is a program that assists participants with funding and other services while they attend school. The program can assist in 45 credits, or 3 years of education.
What are the benefits?
- Tuition
- Required books
- Tools /Uniforms
Who's eligible?
- Washington State residents, and
- Admitted into one of the eligible program pathways, and
- Have income at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. More information here Opportunity Grants | SBCTC
Which programs are eligible?
- Accounting
- Architectural Engineering Design
- Aviation Maintenance
- Avionics Technician
- Central Service/Sterile Processing
- Chemical Dependency Certificate
- Computer Programming
- Construction Technology
- Dental Assistant
- Early Care & Education
- Electrician Low Voltage Fire/Security
- Esthetic Sciences
- Environmental Science
- Health Unit Coordinator
- Heating/Air Conditioning/Refrigeration
- Histology Lab Technician
- Human Services
- IBEST Programs
How do I get started with an Opportunity Grant?
Call our offices at 253-589-4311 or email WFD_Eligibility@kidsnschools.com.
Office hours: gfgrtk.kidsnschools.com/hours
WorkFirst (WF)
What is WorkFirst?
WorkFirst (WF)is a training program meant to assist recipients towards their goals of employment. WF can assist with tuition, books, work study opportunities, and can count towards the DSHS participation requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: It is recommended that you speak to your DSHS case manager if you are interested in going to school.
What are the benefits?
- Tuition not otherwise paid for by Financial Aid
- Required books
- laptop loans
- Work study opportunities
- childcare subsidy provided through DSHS
Who's eligible?
If you are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) through DSHS, you are potentially eligible for the WorkFirst Program.
How do I get started in the WorkFirst program?
The WorkFirst program requires a referral from your DSHS case manager. Our WorkFirst staff can help you contact them as necessary. Once the WorkFirst program assistant receives your information, they will contact you to schedule an appointment. For more information, Call our offices at 253-589-4311 or email WFD_Eligibility@kidsnschools.com.
Office hours
Monday - Thursday: 7:30am-4:30pm
Fridays: CLOSED
If you are a current WorkFirst student in need of additional support services, we may be able to assist! Apply for WorkFirst Support Services now!
Worker Retraining (WRT)
What is Worker Retraining?
Worker Retraining is a program that assists participants with funding and other services while attending courses for at least one quarter.
What are the benefits?
- Tuition not otherwise paid for by Financial Aid
- Required books
- Toolkits
- transportation costs
- Childcare expenses
Who's eligible?
Qualifying situations include:
- Receiving or exhausting unemployment within the past 48 months,
- Discharged from the military within the past 48 months
- Active duty military scheduled to separate within the next 6 months,
- Recent divorced, widowed, separated within the past 24 months, or
- Needing to obtain training to remain employed.
How do I get started in the Worker Retraining program?
Call our offices at 253-589-4311 or email WFD_Eligibility@kidsnschools.com.
Office hours: gfgrtk.kidsnschools.com/hours
Early Achiever's Grant (EAG)
What is Early Achiever’s Grant?
Early Achievers is a financial aid program that assists students that are employed child care providers in early learning and are pursuing a certificate or degree in early childhood education.
What are the benefits?
- Tuition not otherwise paid for by Financial Aid
- Required books
- Toolkits
- Transportation costs
- Childcare expenses
Who's eligible?
- Washington State residents as defined in RCW 28B.15.012, and
- Employed at a childcare facility, family home care or Head Start/ECEAP program that is actively participating in the Department of Children, Youth, and Families' Early Achievers (QRIS) program. The student must work a minimum of 10 hours a week or 40 hours per month at an eligible childcare facility. The student must also have worked for an employer for a minimum of three (3) months.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families will provide the colleges with access to information regarding eligible employers. The student must provide work history documentation to the college and update the college with any changes to their employment or their employer's information.
I'm eligible for the Early Achiever's Grant. How do I get started?
- Email Financial Aid at finaid@kidsnschools.com
- Make a formal application to the program.
- Enroll in an Early Achievers Grant-eligible education program.
*Students employed by Head Start may receive Early Achiever Grant funding for one course (up to 5 credits) per quarter for a maximum of three quarters. Students employed by HeadStart may not exceed 15 total credits supported with Early Achiever Grant funds.
Workforce Advising & Counseling
Every student needs support and guidance in making the best academic and personal choices while completing their education.
The WFD Counselor can help you make informed decisions and can connect you to resources and opportunities across campus.
Workforce Advising and Counseling helps with:
- Program exploration
- Course planning
- Degree and general education requirements
- Add/drop classes
- Options if you are having academic difficulty
- Academic policies and procedures
- Brief personal counseling
- Connecting to additional support staff
How do I get started?
Call Rachael Butler at 253-589-6088 or email Rachael.Butler@kidsnschools.com to schedule an appointment today!
Resource Navigation Assistance
Both on and off campus a resources are being developed constantly to address the needs of our community. We have staff available to help you find assistance that can help you meet your needs and reduce barriers.
We offer:
- On-campus resources
- Off-campus resources
- Passport program support
- Direct referrals to partner agencies
- Assist with applying for food benefits through Washington Connection
Washington Connection
Washington Connection is a website providing information and resources for people that may qualify for benefits and services; such as food, cash, medical, childcare, long-term care, and healthcare. From this website, you can see if you qualify and apply for multiple benefits using their online application. If in case you do not qualify, Washington Connection does offer further information for additional services through community partners and resources.
How do I get started?
Email Timothy.Guntle@kidsnschools.com today to get started.
Workforce Development Eligibility Office
Building 17, Room 109 | 253-589-4311
NOTIFICATION TO PRE-NURSING DTA STUDENTS UTILIZING BFET FUNDING:
The Department of Social Health Services (DSHS) determined that the Pre-Nursing DTA program pathway does not link directly to employability and therefore is not allowable under the BFET expansion as an approved activity.
Students enrolled in this pathway will be required to meet student status in order to keep their food benefits. All other programs under the expansion are still approved for BFET.
If you are a student admitted to the Pre-Nursing DTA program, BFET will no longer be available to fund your program and you will need to identify an alternate funding source. Below are funding options/resources available:
- FAFSA: gfgrtk.kidsnschools.com/financial-aid/completing-fafsa
- WASFA: wsac.wa.gov/wasfa
- Tuition Installment Plan (TIP): gfgrtk.kidsnschools.com/tip
- CPTC Foundation Scholarships: gfgrtk.kidsnschools.com/foundation
If you choose to change your program, please contact the Advising & Counseling office to schedule an appointment to meet with your Advisor for an updated Education Plan. You can contact the Advising & Counseling at 253.589.5548 | http://gfgrtk.kidsnschools.com/advising
Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or concerns.
253.589.4311
WFD_Eligibility@kidsnschools.com