Columbia Basin College has more than 40 different professional/technical programs ranging from accounting to welding. The Worker Retraining program can assist individuals with tuition who are seeking to upgrade job skills or pursue a new career in a professional/technical field considered "in demand" in the Benton-Franklin region.

What do we offer?

• Tuition & Fees
• Academic Advising
• Registration
• Commissioner Approved Training (application assistance)
• Financial Assistance*

*For those who have exhausted their Washington state unemployment insurance

Do I qualify?
Worker Retraining should be able to assist if you are:

• A dislocated worker collecting Washington state unemployment insurance or have exhausted your benefits within the last two years
  OR
• A displaced homemaker who did not work outside the home for the past two years, has been supported by a family member and has lost the source of support
  OR
• A vulnerable worker, who meets two of the following criteria:
  • has not earned more than 45 credits (do not hold degree/certificate)
  • employer and/or employee determines that worker must obtain updated skills in order to remain employed
  • current job is "not in demand" in the Benton-Franklin region www.wilma.org/wdclists

Short-term Computer Training
Worker Retraining offers short-term computer classes at WorkSource Columbia Basin in Kennewick. Classes are self-paced with computer lead software. Students can set their own class schedules Monday–Friday from 8 am – 5 pm.

The following classes are offered:

Concepts
Windows XP	Access 2007
Word 2007	Outlook 2007
Excel 2007	Keyboarding I
PowerPoint 2007	Keyboarding II

Displaced Homemaker
As a displaced homemaker, you may be eligible if you:

• Have spent the last two years as a full-time homemaker
• Have been supported by a family member and lost that support
• Need assistance to secure employment
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress and be in good standing with CBC

You will need to provide the following documentation:

• Last two years of W-2s and tax returns filed
• Social Security card
• Driver's license or photo ID

Dislocated Worker
As a dislocated worker, you may be eligible if you:              

• Are currently collecting Washington state unemployment insurance benefits, or you have exhausted your Washington state unemployment benefits in the last two years
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress and are in good standing with CBC

You will need to provide the following documentation:

• Most current two weeks of job-search log
• Driver's license or photo ID
• Social Security card
• Washington state unemployment insurance pay stub  
  

Vulnerable Worker
As a vulnerable worker, you may be eligible if you meet two of the following:

• You have not earned more than 45 college credits
• Employer and/or employee determines that worker must obtain updated skills in order to remain employed
• Current job is "not in demand" in the Benton-Franklin region www.wilma.org/wdclists