‘Finally, everything fits’

Four-year grad finds his calling in two-year technical college program

by Tara Gilligan Reimer

Julian Perren tells a story about education after high school that, finally, a lot more people believe.

He is about to complete a two-year degree in automotive technology at Bellingham Technical College, and his delight — in completing his education, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average and finding his calling — is palpable.

“BTC has been an incredibly transformative place for me,” he said.

His graduation this June from a skills-focused school comes after his completion of a four-year degree.

Having rebuilt his first car at age 15, Perren has always loved figuring out how cars and trucks work and run. But family and peers told him: “You don’t want to be a grease monkey your whole life.”

Following the conventional wisdom from 10 years ago — that a four-year college program would lead to financial stability and happiness — Julian earned a bachelor’s degree (biology major, chemistry minor) at a state university in Oregon.

“I really wasn’t very happy doing that,” he said. “Large universities, versus smaller colleges, do not have resources to support individual students, in my opinion. I also accrued a lot of debt.”

Geographical wandering followed, and Perren conveys wonder at the duration.

“I worked in labs in concrete buildings: didn’t like that,” he deadpanned. “I fought wildfires in California. I was a palm-frond hacker in Maui.”

Tired of cobbling together jobs that didn’t feel rewarding, Perren and his fiancee researched West Coast towns and chose Bellingham, sight unseen.

He looked up BTC and was happy to find the automotive technical program. Then, he was delighted to experience the satisfying fit.

“The big difference in trade education is hands-on learning. I put into practice what I’m studying,” Perren said.

He loves the balance between cutting-edge technology studies and hands-on diagnosis.

“BTC makes you work as an intern in your first summer,” he said. “This is great. Internships add to that practical, functional progression.”

Perren started his internship at the job he landed on his second day at BTC. Ultimately, Perren said faculty make the difference.

“Look, in pre-med, I had teachers who were Ph.D.s and experts in their fields. No one was anything like Dan Beeson.”

A BTC instructor since 1996, Beeson also has years of experience at dealerships and shops as well as industry technical certifications.

“Dan is the reason the program is what it is,” Perren said.

Perren summed up how a calling became a career: “Finally, everything fits — and that feels weird, because for so long, nothing fit.” the maritime sector was the thirdmost influential industry in the state of Washington, following aerospace and IT (information technology),” Granger said. “That surprised the heck out of everybody, including the governor. So now the maritime sector is getting some awareness — and funding.”

Earnings and happiness can come from many places, including an acclaimed technical college with a mission of placing graduates into satisfying, well-paying and needed jobs.

Granger said she believes the places this foundational learning will take students are limitless.

“Life sciences, biology, habitat restoration, fisheries and aquaculture, sustainable seafood harvesting and processing, alternative fuels, maritime heritage, preservation or writing — you name it, and there’s more.”

Taking training in-house

“AGCW members Barron Heating and Andgar both are actively recruiting for their own in-house universities,” Calloway said. “In Andgar’s eight-week program, if you qualify, you get introduced to all aspects of the company and industry. They help you figure out what you’re most attuned to, what you like — and the whole time, you’re getting paid.”

Whatcom Business Alliance’s YESWhatcom program maintains a recruitment tool for Whatcom County employers, including a board for paid internships, apprenticeships and job training roles for youth ages 16 to 24.

Nonprofits are also stepping into critical roles in advising and advocacy. “Technology Alliance Group of Northwest Washington has been advocating for technology education and accessibility in Whatcom and Skagit Counties for more than 23 years,” said Meg Weber, former TAGNW executive director and current board president. Western Washington University’s director of community engagement and a lead entrepreneurship instructor, Weber has been a longtime member of Team Whatcom. “TAGNW member volunteers are doing amazing community collaborations through our evolving Whatcom STEM program to further our mission to advocate for STEM education, career-connected learning and digital literacy,”

Running parallel to all of these programs, traditional apprenticeship is evolving rapidly at that 15% now. We need to increase the pipeline for new apprenticeship programs as long as everyone is meeting the same standard.”

Whatcom County could use more apprenticeship opportunities. BTC currently offers just two state-funded and approved apprenticeship programs. The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee program supports students enrolled in training related to aerospace manufacturing. BTC also oversees the AGC Inland Northwest Apprenticeship program, which trains construction operators, laborers and contractors.

Skagit and Island counties are expected to attend. More than 25 contractors and subcontractors, public agencies and governments will present. “And not just the skilled trades,” Calloway said, “but things students didn’t know existed, like planning software, construction electronics, safety, ergonomics. Students will be able to climb on a scissor lift, try instruments and compact concrete.” Students sign up through their CTE teacher or school counselor to attend.

In the March/April 2023 issue of Business Pulse Magazine, an article highlighted the significant state-required changes in electrical apprenticeship pathways that take effect this summer. Despite clear advantages, many worry the state will not be able to certify programs fast enough, and this will eventually extend to other trades down the road, if the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries gets its wish.

A bill just approved by the Washington Legislature, ESHB 1050, could aggravate the issue. “The bill would require municipalities with public works jobs over $2 million to have a minimum of 15% apprenticeship on the project … which is good,” Calloway said, “but the problem is the access to apprenticeship. Contractors are telling us they are having trouble meeting

A new Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship was launched in October 2022. “It trains marine service technicians who work on repairing, fitting, building and outfitting boats up to 150 feet — smaller commercial and recreational vessels,” Granger said. She and others volunteered hundreds of hours to find and develop the program and get it through a complex process. “It’s provisionally approved by the state and trains these technicians to work in wood, fiberglass, metal, design and five other areas under certified instructors. It’s an incredible feat.” According to Milton, BTC is working to become the new program’s fiscal sponsor.

Coming down the pike

A number of programs and spring job fairs are also in the works to connect students, workers and businesses in the community.

AGCW is organizing Construction Career Day on May 11 at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden. Up to 300 high school juniors and seniors from Whatcom,

New facilities could also be on the way. Washington state boasts 14 regional secondary schools, called skills centers, that offer CTE training to high school students from multiple school districts. “Those programs are really capital and labor intensive, with state-of-the-art equipment and teachers certified to use it, so you can’t afford to have a program at each high school,” Granger said. “This legislative session, they are considering adding a new skills center in Whatcom County.” Granger is advocating for the new center to include another Core Plus Maritime program.

Despite the issues that have led to the current worker shortages, community leaders agree that Whatcom County is poised to develop its workforce.

“The reality is that when we pause things, in real life, it takes a long time for things to get back to full speed,” Milton said. “We just all need to slog through and make sure we are all aligned. And the more we can talk about what all the options are, the better we can work as a community to address these issues and help people get to work.”