Washington Business Winter 2019 | Washington Business | Page 49

business backgrounder | education & workforce
A Stronger, Smoother Transition
State education leaders have partnered with two Washington military
bases to create a new solution that helps service members transition to new
careers, which also addresses the workforce shortage.
Andrew Lenderman
A new collaboration between the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, workforce agencies and two Washington
military installations has created new opportunities for service members transitioning into the civilian world. The state’s
VIE-25 program has created new connections between eight colleges, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Naval Base Kitsap.
VIE-25 stands for Veterans Industry Education, and 25 refers to colleges within 25 miles of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Last year, 120 service members used the program to start new careers, which also helps the state’s workforce shortage.
At A Glance
Transition counselors and
advocates at each college help
service members transition from
military life, before their tour
of duty ends.
Participating schools include
Bates, Clover Park, Green River,
Highline, Pierce, Tacoma, Olympic
and South Puget Sound community
or technical colleges.
There are more than 60
certifications at eight colleges.
State education leaders have made a dent in Washington’s ongoing workforce shortage by
creating new connections between Puget Sound colleges, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and
Naval Base Kitsap. The end result is that some of the thousands of soldiers and airmen who
plan to transition out of the base each year get a jump start on college and careers before they
finish their military service. Equipped with new college and technical credentials, they’re able
to start in-demand jobs in the area’s booming economy.
A partnership between Washington’s community and technical colleges, state workforce
agencies and the armed forces created the VIE-25 program in 2015. It’s designed to
help soldiers and airmen transition from the military to higher education, and includes
State workforce funds pay
for service members to gain
certifications, subject to
commander approval.
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