Students can turn job training into college credit through new community partnerships
News Release
Date: July 21, 2025
Contacts: Madeline Dougherty, Academic Credit for Prior Learning Program Specialist: madougherty@everettcc.edu, 425-388-9973
Rachel Strachan, Workforce Funding Program Manager: rstrachan@everettcc.edu, 425-259-8755
Learn more July 24 at Everett Community College
EVERETT, Wash. – Everett Community College (EvCC) is expanding access to college credit for adult learners through new partnerships with three local community organizations: Snohomish County Evergreen Goodwill Job Training and Education Center (SnoCo JTEC), the Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) and Volunteers of American Western Washington (VOA).
Through these partnerships, known as “crosswalks,” students who complete specific training programs can earn credit toward a degree or certificate through the college’s growing Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL) program, which awards credit for college-level learning gained outside of traditional classrooms.
Students can learn more about these partnerships at an open house for the college’s new Belonging Center from 4 to 6 p.m. July 24 at Everett Community College, 2000 Tower St. in Everett, in Parks Student Union room 335.
“ACPL is a critical resource for students who can demonstrate college level learning gained outside a college classroom,” said Dr. Cathy Leaker, Vice President of Instruction. “By partnering with EvCC to build ACPL crosswalks, community organizations lessen the burden placed on students to demonstrate their learning independently. We are excited to begin building a county-wide, multi-industry postsecondary learning ecosystem that ensures student learning is recognized wherever and however it is acquired.”
Photo 1: Explore Everett Community College's new Belonging Center, a space for adult learners to study, build community and feel welcome, at an open house from 4-6 p.m. July 24.
The new crosswalks are part of the ELEVATE (Empowering Learners to Excel through Vocation Advancement, Training and Education) partnership funded by the Washington Student Achievement Council’s Regional Challenge Grant. ELEVATE helps adults complete post-secondary credentials by supporting partnerships that recognize and value their prior experience.
“It’s been exciting to see partnerships grow in our community,” said Rachel Strachan, EvCC’s Worker Retraining Program Manager. “We are receiving a positive response from community organizations as well as incoming students who are now seeing their hard work translate into college credit. It boosts confidence, saves money, and speeds up the process of earning a certificate or degree.”
Highlights of the new credit crosswalks include:
- SnoCo JTEC: Adult basic education students can earn up to 11 EvCC credits in computer literacy and business technology.
- LETI: Graduates of the nonprofit’s vocational training programs for bookkeeping assistant and office assistant can earn over 20 college credits toward certificates and degrees in business, accounting, and medical billing and coding. LETI also offers a Microsoft Word/Google Docs certificate that can be used toward college credit.
- VOA: Students who complete a Dispute Resolution Center program to become certified mediators can earn eight communications studies credits.
In addition to providing opportunities for credit for prior learning, the ELEVATE program aims to help adult learners build a sense of belonging in college settings. This year, EvCC opened the Belonging Center located on the third floor of Parks Student Union. The space includes dynamic study areas, children’s toys and books, electronic charging stations and fidget tools, all designed to help adults who are returning to school to connect and thrive. The center is conveniently located near financial aid, workforce funding and counseling services.
To learn more about academic credit for prior learning and community credit crosswalks, visit EverettCC.edu/ACPL or email the ACPL program specialist at ACPL@everettcc.edu.