What is a Skills Center?

Skills Centers are an integral part of the K-12 system, operating as an extension for the high schools within a local region by providing high school students with job preparation skills. The primary purpose of Skills Centers is to give students the academic and work skills to successfully enter the job market or advanced educations/training. Skills Centers provide cost-effective, quality job training in program that would be too expensive to offer at every high school.

Instructors use competency-based, individualized instruction to help each student learn occupational, academic, and technical skills at a high level. Instructors challenge, motivate and provide opportunities for students to achieve in basic skills, critical thinking, leadership and work skills through hands-on education, applied academics and technology training.

Skills Centers are governed by an administrative council comprising the superintendents of the participating cooperative school districts. Local districts contributed to the original facility and equipment acquisition. On the administrative council, each district has an equal vote.

South Kitsap High School student excels in WST's Culinary Arts Program!

As Skills Center Director and Principal of West Sound Technical (WST) I am always encouraged by students' hard work and the extra effort they give. Nick Ahearn was a South Kitsap High School student whose communication skills were exceptional. He worked with Mr. Fuller, the Chef, to become the best he could be. He interned at McCormick Woods, a high-end restaurant, and won numerous medals in the competition at Skills USA. He also was a recipient of a WST Foundation Scholarship, given during WST's 2nd Annual Foundation Luncheon in May of 2008.

Nick was student of the year for his first and second years in the WST Culinary Arts Program. Nick’s leadership abilities were one of his strongest attributes. He was a quiet, reserved leader whose positive actions were his trademark. Nick taught new students the expectations and acceptable values for our classroom behavior and learning environment. When working with students in smaller groups he helped with student mentoring and set high moral principles for other students to follow. Nick cared about all our students and sincerely tried to help them all whether with professional or personal matters.

In our culinary program, Nick was a remarkable leader and an extremely dedicated individual. Nick is going on to the Culinary Art Institute in January of 2009.

Kathrin Carr - West Sound Technical Director/ Principal
Web: www.wstsc.com
Phone: 360.473.0552
"Creating Quality Candidates For Tomorrow's Careers"