Published Oct. 28, 2009
Sara Schilling, Tri-City Herald Staff Writer

People who are struggling financially or have been laid off may be eligible for free training this academic year in several in-demand fields, from accounting to hybrid vehicle maintenance.

The training is through Columbia Basin College and the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council.

“It’s the best deal that’s been around in (years),” said Curt Freed, dean of CBC’s Health Science Division.

Training for medical assistants kick off today with 16 students.  Medical secretary and industrial maintenance mechanic training courses are set to start next, and other programs will get off the ground this quarter and winter quarter.

Some of the other programs include: office clerk, receptionist, child development associate, nursing assistant and phlebotomist.

Students don’t have to pay for the training.  To qualify, they must be low-income, have been laid off from their job or be a displaced homemaker.  An example of a displaced homemaker is a single mother who had to rejoin the work force to support her family.

More than $700,000 in federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009 is paying for the program.  The money is going to the workforce council, which chose CBC to provide the training.

The training programs vary in length but all are in fields that have been identified as in demand, said Michelle Mann, executive director of the workforce council.  The programs also feed into longer certificate and degree pathways at CBC.

“This could be a one-time opportunity,” Mann said.  “If people are interested, this is the time (to sign up).”

More information is available on CBC’s website at www.columbiabasin.edu/workforce.
People who are low-income should call 734-5916 to find out if they qualify for the training.  Dislocated workers should call 734-5914.

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