Bates Technical College students will deliver a sweet message to several state legislators and their aides Thursday, Jan. 28.
The students will visit the state Capitol to distribute freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, individually wrapped with a message about the important role two-year colleges play in economic recovery. It says, “Washington’s recipe for economic recovery: invest in worker retraining, fund financial aid, reinvent our students’ future. Technical education is a key ingredient!”
Approximately 18 students will break into small groups to meet with 16 legislators and aides, including Sens. Derek Kilmer, Jim Kastama and Randi Becker, members of the senate higher education workforce and development committee. Sen. Kilmer chairs the committee and Sen. Kastama serves as vice chair. A group of students are also scheduled to meet with an assistant for Rep. Jan Angel, a member of the house higher education committee. Additionally, some students will meet with Leslie Goldstein, executive policy advisor to the Governor for higher education.
Students from career education programs such as Fire Service, Legal Office Assistant, Diesel and Heavy Equipment Mechanic, and Broadcasting and Video Production, will speak with legislators in their district. They will share stories of what technical education means to them and how an investment in technical education will aid the economic turnaround in Washington State.
A tradition for the college, this event marks the 18th year that Bates students have visited the State Capitol during the legislative session to deliver cookies with a message.
About Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College, the state’s largest public technical college, offers certificate and degree opportunities in 53 career education programs as well as distance learning, extended learning and apprenticeship training. For more information, go to www.bates.ctc.edu, or call 253.680.7000.
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