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Trump signs order seeking to end federal funding for NPR and PBS; NY immigrant wrongfully sent to El Salvador 'supermax' prison; PA 'Day of Action' planned for higher minimum wage, immigrants' rights; New bill in Congress seeks to overturn CA animal welfare law.

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National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is leaving that job to become UN ambassador, bipartisan Arizona poll finds Latino voters dissatisfied by Trump's first 100 days, and Florida mass deportations frighten community members.

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Rural students who face hurdles going to college are getting noticed, Native Alaskans may want to live off the land but obstacles like climate change loom large, and the Cherokee language is being preserved by kids in North Carolina.

Vocational, training programs provide bright spots for colleges

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Monday, December 18, 2023   

While some college programs struggle to bring students back to the classroom, vocational and training programs are becoming a more important part of higher education.

Lower Columbia College in southwest Washington is looking to the Legislature to fund its new Center for Vocational and Transitional Studies building in the upcoming session.

The new building will house welding, fabrication and machining. Nolan Wheeler, vice president for administration with the college, said these are critical areas of education.

"Everything relies on machining, everything in our life, right?" said Wheeler. "Cars we drive, the food we eat goes through something that's been manufactured -- and particularly here in Southwest Washington, manufacturing's always been a vital part of our economic success."

The estimated cost for the new building is nearly $43 million.

While colleges and universities have seen a decline in enrollment - the construction trades, for instance - saw a 6.2% increase between 2020 and 2022, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

Wheeler said the new building is needed for his college.

"It's going to be wonderful to have updated, modern space for our students," said Wheeler, "which will allow us to better serve our service district, including the local employers."

The new facility at Lower Columbia College will also include the headquarters for the college and career-preparation and information-technology programs.




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