BMCC wants to build on workforce training

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Blue Mountain Community College hosted community college administrators from across the state last week. BMCC President Mark Browning said there are differences, but for the most part how to improve enrollment numbers is the big question.

“Workforce courses are all in higher demand, so those numbers are all pretty steady or growing,” he said. “What we’re seeing in most locations is what we call lower division credit, or your transfer classes are continuing to slide a little bit.”

Browning said BMCC is looking at ways to expand on the workforce courses it currently offers.

“We’re working to find innovative ways to fund some of those career technical programs so that we can expand them,” he said. “Those are programs that are not only your traditional trades, but they’re also healthcare and tech-related. We just don’t have the facilities and qualified instructors to expand the way we need.”