Announcements

1. Washington Centers of Excellence 3rd Quarter Highlights
   Take a look at what Washington State's Centers of Excellence completed in their third quarter. Highlights
2. Department of Health Public Rules Hearing - Medical Assistant/Health Care Assistant Credentials

The proposed rules (here) have been filed for the new medical assistant credential, Chapter 246-827 WAC. This rule package also contains language we will add to the current health care assistant WAC 246-826-990 to facilitate the health care assistant to medical assistant credential transition. The cost-benefit analysis related to the proposed medical assistant rules can be found on the medical assistant web page.  You may submit any comments that you have regarding the proposed rules to the department’s rules comment webpage, or to the mail or fax numbers in the proposal notice.  The deadline for comments is Tuesday, May 7th 2013 at 5 p.m.   

The Department of Health  has also scheduled a public rules hearing for Tuesday, May 7th 2013 at 9:00 a.m.  The hearing will be held at the Department of Health’s Tumwater campus:
Point Plaza East – Rooms 152/153
310 Israel Road SE
Tumwater WA 98501
Directions

1. Idustry Critical Skills Gaps Forums Hosted by the Centers of Excellence and AWB.
   Data Sheets
   

   
   Purpose of the Forums

   • Obtain relevant information concerning job growth projections and workforce skills gaps
     from industry leaders within key industry sectors to help inform programmatic decisions at
     the community and technical colleges.
   • Elevate the role of the Centers of Excellence as the state’s leaders in providing expertise, coordination and support for business and education partnerships building a competitive workforce.
   • Provide a written report that summarizes the ten forums and helps update information augmenting the original 2006 Environmental Scan.  Convene a statewide meeting to discuss
     the outcomes from the forums and strategies to better connect with business and industry.