Workforce - Worker Retraining

The Worker Retraining program provides financial assistance for tuition and expenses (including books, transportation, and childcare) during one quarter of job training at Pierce College. The program is open to unemployed and dislocated workers, as well as homemakers seeking to re-enter the workforce.

Note: To be eligible, you must currently be receiving state unemployment insurance benefits or, within the last 24 months, you must have exhausted those benefits. This program is also open to homemakers needing to re-enter the workforce, and to self-employed workers who are now unable to work due to an economic downturn.

To find out if you are eligible for Worker Retraining assistance, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Then, visit the Advising Centers at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom or Pierce College Puyallup to meet with a Worker Retraining professional. Or, call (253) 964-6265 to schedule an appointment.

Eligible Training Programs

The following career training programs are eligible for Worker Retraining assistance:

These programs offer both degree and certificate options. In general, certificate programs require roughly 45 credits and can be completed in about a year for a full-time student. Degree programs require about 90 credits and typically take about two years to complete.

In addition to the degree and certificate programs listed above, Pierce College also provides two shorter programs that are eligible for Worker Retraining assistance. These are:

  • Pierce Works. Located at Pierce College Puyallup (AAH 116), this program provides basic computer training, as well as help with job search and workplace success skills. This option is perfect for unemployed workers seeking to boost their basic job and computer, as well as those seeking to make a smooth transition into one of Pierce College's professional/technical training programs. Contact Evelyn Brooks via phone at (253) 840-8428 or via email at ebrooks@pierce.ctc.edu for more information.
  • Corrections Officer Training. This program provides students with the basic skills needed for an entry level career in corrections. Over 11 weeks, students learn skills and theories in the classroom, and then learn how to apply them by completing an extended internship (170 total hours) at a local correctional facility. For more information, contact Pat Love via phone at (253) 964-6407 or via email at plove@pierce.ctc.edu.

Workfirst
(253) 964-6265