WHAT ARE THE CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE?
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Statewide liaisons to business, industry, labor, and education.
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Support economic and workforce development in targeted industry.
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Leaders of collaborative education and training efforts that build a competitive workforce.
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WHAT IS THE AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE?
The Agriculture & Natural Resource Center of Excellence works with state community and technical colleges (CTC) preparing a skilled workforce through education and training initiatives. Washington’s farms, forests, ranches, dairies, orchards, lakes, rivers, and oceans power a diverse agriculture and natural resource economy, with both increasing technological resources and the option for more traditional practices where applicable. With roughly 39,000 farms and more than 1,700 forest products focused companies, agriculture and natural resources make up one of the largest
economies in Washington State
ARE WE A COLLEGE?
No, we are a legislative-funded center focused on connecting industry and education. We collaborate, statewide, with stakeholders within our sector focus, to:
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address skills gaps,
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expand training capacity,
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and incorporate best practices into education programs.
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WHO DO WE SERVE?
We serve business and industry, college faculty, and administration, and legislators providing technical assistance, expertise, information, and research on local, state, and national initiatives and workforce trends.
WHO DO WE REPORT TO?
All Centers report to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) which in turn reports to the Governor.
In 2009, Washington State became the first and only state in the nation to codify Centers of Excellence (COE) designating the Centers as statewide leaders in industry-specific community and technical college workforce education and training.
WHO FUNDS US?
Each Center receives $204,157 in General Funds annually from the Washington State legislature distributed through the SBCTC.
WHERE ARE THE CENTERS LOCATED?
Centers are hosted on selected campuses around the state initially designated because of the expertise and outstanding programs of the host college.
Hosting a Center of Excellence on a campus creates some unique challenges due to the statewide industry focus and leadership model.
Centers serve the entire SBCTC college system.
11 Centers of Excellence serve the entire state of Washington, learn more about each Center here: Centers of Excellence
WHAT AREAS DO WE SERVE?
The Agriculture & Natural Resource COE promotes pathway programs in the agriculture & natural resource industry. To view all the programs that we support, please visit our Pathways to Excellence Program Guide.
HOW DOES THE AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCE COE HELP STUDENTS?
Our work improves what and how students learn. We partner with industry, labor, and the CTC system to ensure that students are graduating with the necessary knowledge and skills required to succeed in agriculture and natural resource industries. We highlight a range of occupations associated with agriculture and natural resource industries in Washington. Advocate for agriculture and natural resources to be considered a ‘high demand’ occupation to support increased funding for workforce programs supporting these industries vital to Washington’s robust economy.
WHAT IS A HOST COLLEGE?
Host college means any community college in Washington State that is designated a Center of Excellence. This requires the host college to accommodate the Center’s needs such as fiduciary oversight, meeting spaces, equipment, and other needs.