How We Started
The Eastside Training Center, located at East 60th and McKinley Avenue, aligns to our institutional goals which identify increased access and enrollment among historically marginalized populations who have not equally benefited from the rewards of higher education and the skills and credentials we offer as a cornerstone of our institutional ethos. By working with partners like WorkForce Central and the City of Tacoma, the Eastside Training Center will blend the same high-quality skills training offered at CPTC’s Lakewood and South Hill campuses with WorkForce Central services designed to bridge the gap between job seekers, employers, and community organizations. Our aim is for the Eastside Training Center to adapt and evolve to reflect the unique needs and desires of the Eastside community.
Current Partners
We endeavor to continue to establish meaningful partnerships with various community stakeholders who have a vested interest in the transformation and prosperity of the Eastside Community with specific regard to educational and resource accessibility.
Founding partners are WorkForce Central and the City of Tacoma. Additional support is provided by Palmer Scholars, ANEW, and Emerald Cities Collaborative.
What Is Offered
The Eastside Training Center is a multi-phasic project. During the first phase, in addition to our ongoing partner offerings, our focus is on providing trades education for CPTC’s Northwest Career & Technical High School and Running Start students. Phase one CPTC educational programs initially include our Electrical Low Voltage/Fire Security (ELV) and Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) programs with our Construction, including Residential Electrician and Plumbing pathways, and our new Lineman programs added in following quarters.
Quarterly Schedule
| Quarter | First day of class | Programs | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March 31, 2025 | HVAC, Low Voltage | March 28, 2025 |
| Summer | July 1, 2025 | HVAC, Low Voltage, Construction Technology, Residential Electrician, Residential Plumber | June 27, 2025 |
| Fall | September 29, 2025 | HVAC, Low Voltage, Construction Technology, Residential Electrician, Residential Plumber | September 24, 2025 |
Funding
Tuition is free for all high school students.
Northwest Career & Technical High School students attend tuition-free. The cost of all course fees and most academic and program books is also covered. For the Eastside Training Center programs, Northwest Career & Technical High School provides communal tools and/or toolkits for students to borrow during their time with us. Students are, however, encouraged to think about how they can acquire the minimum number of tools necessary to enter the workforce once they graduate from the program.
Running Start tuition is typically free for high school students, but there is a cap to the amount of free tuition. Running Start students pay normal CPTC fees for books, tools, laboratory fees, consumables, and transportation. If you qualify for free or reduced-price lunch (or meet other income requirements) many of these costs could be waived.
Interested? How to Learn More
High School Students
If you are between the ages of 16-21, have not yet attained a high school diploma, and are interested in learning more about the Eastside Training Center and how it might be a fit for you, please complete the following form: Enrollment Inquiry Form. Be sure to watch for follow-up emails with next steps. You are also welcome to email or call Amy Robertson-Bullen, Associate Director of Northwest Career & Technical High School, at amy.robertson-bullen@cptc.edu / 253-589-5770 to schedule a time to discuss program fit and details.
Community Stakeholders
CPTC is always open to establishing new industry, socio-cultural, and community partnerships. If you are interested in discussing Eastside Training Center partnership opportunities, please reach out to Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation, and Apprenticeship, at lester.burkes@cptc.edu / 253-589-5771.
