By Eric Fetters

Herald Writer

Bad times for workers in Snohomish County mean more people are filling classrooms at community colleges and business schools to learn new skills that can put them back to work.

“What is really on most people’s minds is employability,” said Frank Cox, associate dean for workforce development at Everett Community College, who said demand for retraining programs has increased significantly. “They’re looking at what’s going to make them the most employable the quickest.”

So, in light of the high-tech slump, some computer classes have lost their luster. Instead, classes that teach practical computer skills used in business and other fields and medical-related courses are drawing the biggest crowds, Cox said.

EvCC’s medical assistant program is one of those serving more students than usual.

Elizabeth Clark, who directs the program, said more than 75 people were in various stages of completing certificates earlier this month.

“The enrollment’s at the highest levels we’ve seen. Part of that is the structure of our program. We allow students to start any quarter, and we have flexible hours,” she said. “We’ve made a concerted effort to get obstacles out of the way.”

The program, ranked as one of the best in the nation based on test scores, trains students to work in a variety of outpatient care offices, including doctors’ offices and HMO practices. Once they finish, students have a good chance of finding jobs, Clark said.

“Right now, in the Puget Sound area, there’s a projected 35 percent growth rate in this field. In some areas of the country, it’s as much as 74 percent,” she added.

At Edmonds Community College, courses on construction and project management and maintaining computer networks are popular right now, said Gina Certain, worker retraining coordinator for the school. Other people are taking business management classes to build on their current skills, she said.

Private business schools in the county have reported mixed enrollment news. Henry Cogswell College in downtown Everett hasn’t seen its numbers change significantly, even though many of its students are Boeing employees whose tuition is paid by the company.

While layoffs at the Boeing Co. and elsewhere have spurred people to go back to school, only those who can afford classes or find financial aid are benefiting. State dollars designated for worker retraining at local colleges ran out months ago.

“We ran out of money in September” as layoffs at high-tech firms snowballed, Certain said. “Then Sept. 11 hit.”

She and Cox both said their schools could serve additional laid-off workers if more state money was available. As it stands, the retraining program will not receive more funds until July.

Some federal retraining aid is available, but they’re harder to qualify for and application process is lengthy, Cox said.

“Also, it’s based upon the past year’s income. So if you were making good money and then laid off, you’re out of look,” Cox said.

Some Boeing employees have received help with paying for classes because their layoffs qualified for federal trade act assistance, Cox said. On Thursday, that assistance was extended to Boeing workers laid off after Feb. 25.

The worker retaining program at EvCC has served the equivalent of 300 full-time students each of the past two years. That’s despite the fact the school receives government funding to train just more than 130 students annually.

Clark said that in addition to coming from a broader range of backgrounds, including being laid off, students in her program also seem more dedicated.

“They’re very enthusiastic to be back in a classroom.”

You can call Herald Writer Eric Fetters at 425-339-3453

or send e-mail to fetters@heraldnet.com.