The WWCC Agriculture Center of Excellence is designed to respond to workforce training needs and related interests of educational institutions, agriculture businesses and industries in Southwest Washington and beyond. This includes the expansion/strengthening of existing programs and creation of new program options to meet the education and training needs of an industry that now includes rural, urban and related agriculture dimensions. The Center's "one stop" contact for instruction and professional services provides reactive and flexible response based upon the "what, when, and where" of industry needs.

What is a Center of Excellence?
A Center of Excellence is an organization that functions as a resource to other educational institutions and industry, serving as the nucleus for development of curriculum, skill standards and promoting technological advancements. Centers of Excellence identify Best Practices and provide workforce training services to industry and educational institutions upon request.

What the Agriculture Center of Excellence Can Do --    

 For Educators we offer...

• Website resources to disseminate industry news and training program information
• Support for curriculum enhancement and expansion
  • Reviews of current curriculum with respect to new and emerging workforce changes
• Facilitation of articulation arrangements between secondary and postsecondary academic institutions
• Contract professional development workshops, such as Developing a Curriculum (DACUM)
• Increased awareness of agricultural careers to aid in recruiting students into ag-related education programs
• Yearly conferences for agriculture program faculty

For Industry we offer....

• Specialized incumbent worker training programs
• Skilled interns and trained employees from our partner educators
• Access to distance learning options for current employees in selected ag related subjects, such as: Soils, Plant Science, Turf Maintenance, Water Management, Pesticide Licensing
• Promotion of agriculture training opportunities through participation in regional conferences, seminars and trade shows

For Workers & Students we offer.... 

• Worker retraining programs
• A one stop source for information about agriculture-related professional technical degree and certificate programs.
• Access to jobs and internships information offered by industry partners
• Basic Skills foundations for ESL and ABE students to gain entry to the college
• Access to programs that upgrade skills in reading, writing, communicating, and mathematics