The initiative, created for workers who would not typically attend college or complete a degree program, is sponsored by the Academy for Educational Development (AED) and funded by the Lumina Foundation for Education.

“There are many capable people working for airlines and tenants at Sea-Tac Airport who are in entry-level jobs,” said Port Jobs Board President and Port of Seattle Commissioner Paige Miller. “We want to make it possible for them to get college degrees and move up in their companies.”

Partnerships building on success

Over the past three years, Port Jobs and South Seattle Community College (SSCC) have cultivated a highly successful partnership helping job-seekers - particularly limited-English speakers - find airport employment.

Airport University takes the next step by connecting low-income airport employees to college-level education opportunities through on-site, short-term training with accompanying certifications or diplomas.

Such opportunities will benefit workers in their current positions, and may make it possible for them to move up within their company or find career opportunities outside of the airport.

Airport University classes will also benefit airport employers. Classes will be offered at or near the airport, will incorporate both unique and shared skill sets required by employers, and will provide training for employees to advance to the next step within their company.

Flexible schedule for workers

Sea-Tac has several short peaks of passenger traffic each day as well as busy, peak-travel-season demands. This makes it challenging for airport workers to attend traditional day or night classes, so SSCC is designing schedules with input from employers to make it feasible for employees to attend courses within their work schedules.

“Working and going to school simultaneously is a significant challenge,” said Susan Wilder Crane, Executive Director of Port Jobs. “Our goal is to help with those outside pressures that sometimes keep people from finishing their education. But the most important thing about Airport University is that it will model a unique approach to college access and education - one that we hope will be adopted widely in many sectors of the economy.”

The AED/Lumina Foundation grant will also be used to: let airport workers know that college is an option; help employees map out career/educational plans; identify scholarships and other funding sources; provide a career and education advisor position at Airport Jobs; and start a small emergency fund for Airport University students.