Skills Center and Whatcom Early Learning Center

Whatcom County Skills Center

We are currently working to establish a skills center in Whatcom County. The Northwest Career & Technical Academy in Skagit County is the closest skill center in our region. While some students currently travel to NCTA, there is a void here in Whatcom County. Currently, Meridian School District is a satellite campus for Northwest Career & Technical Academy providing fire science and welding programs. This expansion to build a core campus north of Meridian High School and central to districts would greatly increase the educational opportunities for all students in Whatcom County.

Washington State Skills Centers are well established educational opportunities for high school juniors and seniors. Students gain college credit, industry-recognized credentials and industry-specific training. Bringing a branch or core campus with approximately eleven programs to Whatcom County would expand career and technical education opportunities for all students.

Whatcom Early Learning Center

In addition to the skills center, we are working with Whatcom County to establish a Whatcom Early Learning Center in Meridian.

Whatcom Early Learning Center Architect Rendering (August 2023)

This early learning center could provide child care for 80 to 120 children from birth to five. The center would provide extended hours to better support working families. Currently, there is a shortage of early childhood learning and care staff across the state, and in particular, in rural Whatcom County. The current administration of the Northwest Career & Technical Academy is developing an Early Childhood Education program for launch in fall 2026 with high school juniors and seniors as part of the existing satellite structure. This would also provide an early childhood education graduation pathway for students in high school.

At approximately 14,000 square-feet, this Center will provide 1 infant room, 1 age-flexible room, 2 toddler classrooms, 2 preschool classrooms, 3 behavioral and mental health professional offices, two conference rooms, an adult classroom for skills center and college students and ancillary service areas. With extended hours and days of operation, this center will be an ideal space for community adult education focused around child care and early learning.

Empty heading

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a skills center?

According to OSPI, skills centers are regional secondary schools that serve high school students from multiple school districts. They provide instruction in preparatory programs that are either too expensive or too specialized for school districts to operate individually. Currently, there are 14 skills centers in Washington state. Many more will be emerging in the near future.

Learn more about current skill centers in Washington.

Who would be able to attend the skills center?

Students who are juniors or seniors in high school would be able to attend the skills center in Whatcom County. Depending on space, availability and transportation, the center may be an option for students in Skagit County as well.

How would this work with the skills center in Mount Vernon?

The current skill center in Skagit County is Northwest Career & Technical Academy. They offer many courses that students in Whatcom County already take advantage of. If a skill center were built in Whatcom County, we would work with the branch in Skagit County to not offer overlapping courses. This would allow us to provide even more opportunities to students in our region.

Where would this new skills center be?

The skills center in Whatcom County would be located just north of Meridian High School off of Guide Meridian Road. There is a field owned by Meridian School District that is currently unused between Laurel Road and Hemmi Road.

How will this skills center be funded?

The skills center would be funded by the state. Expanding skills centers in Washington is a priority of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

What are next steps for bringing a skills center here?

Next steps include engaging in conversations with leaders in our community including business and industry leaders, superintendents and school boards and local legislators to build support and understanding around the need for a Whatcom County skills center.

There will also be an opportunity for families, staff, students and the greater community to weigh in on what they’d like to see with a future skills center in Whatcom County.