CPTC receives $270,000 grant to support Career Launch expansion

Clover Park Technical College has received $270,000 to support the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration and Roofing apprenticeship programs as a part of the Career Connect Washington Program created by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2017.

“This investment in our HVAC/Refrigeration and Roofer’s Apprenticeship programs will help us to increase enrollment and support student retention and graduation,” said Mabel Edmonds, vice president for instruction. “Using the most current equipment available in the industry is vital to student success and this grant will make a difference for both programs in many ways.”

This week, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges awarded nearly $1.7 million to community and technical colleges as part of Career Launch. CPTC received both a $200,000 grant for the HVAC program and a $70,000 Career Launch equipment grant to support the Roofer’s Apprenticeship.

“Our HVAC/Refrigeration faculty conceptualized new opportunities for our students through this funding including equipment upgrades and increased lab space for students, that will impact student retention and completion of their program,” said Dr. Claire Korschinowski, dean for instruction.

Career Launch prepares young adults for careers by combining high-quality on-the-job experience with classroom studies. The Washington State Legislature established the Career Launch Enrollment Expansion and the Career Launch Capital Equipment awards during the 2019 legislative session.

Career Connect Washington describes Career Launch programs as the most intensive type of career connected learning program. Its goal is to have 60 percent of young adults beginning with the class of 2030 participate in a Career Launch program. Career Launch programs can include registered apprenticeships, community or technical college or university programs with a work-based component, and a career and technical education program that meets credential requirements and includes a work-based component.