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Running Start for Careers Initiative

The Running Start for Careers initiative raises scholarship funds for CCS students earning a college trade degree and high school diploma at the same time. This means that our local high school students have more career options and can enter their field as industry professionals at least two years earlier.

SCC female hydraulics program student


Imagine a 16-year-old student at a high school in Spokane....

... interested in studying machining and CNC technology.  Thanks to Running Start for Careers, they can attend SCC tuition-free to gain that training and earn their high school diploma.  The first of its kind in WA, this program covers, in most cases, the cost of tuition for students while they earn their degrees.

But what isn’t covered are the cost of books, course fees, and equipment. For some of our trades programs, that cost is over $5,000. This cost is too high for our students and prevents them from taking advantage of this unique program. Our RS4C initiative will bring down that barrier and help students afford college.

Join us! Together we will help over 200 students a year
get a college vocational degree and start their careers.

Donate to support our initiative!


 

We know that by helping our students achieve an education, they will put that education back into our community.

In some CCS programs, 90% of graduates stay right in Spokane. That means that last year alone, most of our 251 automotive program graduates and 18 new CNC machinists joined our local workforce and supported our economy.

electircal Student With Mask
Kevin Brockbank - SCC President


“My hope is that we see a change for our community, where students who couldn’t participate in higher education but wanted to will be able to have a career that provides security for them and their families,” Dr. Brockbank said. 


 

By the Numbers

While tuition is covered, there are stark student costs that can be a barrier to education.

Fire Science


Student Cost:

$4,807.00

Automotive Technician


Student Cost:

$10,525.00

Electronics Engineering Technician


Student Cost:

$6,317.00

Medical Office Specialist


Student Cost:

$1,965.00

Full list of student costs per program:


Business

Accounting Assistant – $2,471.00
Cosmetology – $6,477.00
Culinary Arts – $3,933.00
Medical Office Specialist – $1,965.00
Criminal Justice – $3,575.00

Public Health and Safety

Criminal Justice – $3,575.00
Fire Science – $4,807.00
Paralegal – $480.00

Information Technology

Network Design and Administration – $2,279.00
Electronics Engineering Technician – $6,317.00

Manufacturing

CAD Design and Drafting – $1,758.00
HVAC & Refrigeration – $5,573.00
Machinist/CNC Technology – $5,211.00
Welding 1 Year Certification – $2,126.00
Automotive Tech – $10,525.00
Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician – $4,602.00
Mechanical Engineering Technology – $2,372.00