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Clark County at Work: West Coast Training

The Columbian
Published: February 5, 2011, 12:00am
2 Photos
Instructor Ray Breazeale, right, communicates with Grace Nelson as she learns how to drive an earthmover at West Coast Training.
Instructor Ray Breazeale, right, communicates with Grace Nelson as she learns how to drive an earthmover at West Coast Training. Photo Gallery

Business name: West Coast Training.

Owner: Jeff Woolever.

Address: 805 Dike Road, Woodland, on 33-acres leased from the Port of Woodland.

o Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.

What the business does: Jeff Woolever said he owns a private vocational school that trains entry-level heavy equipment operators for backhoe, loader, excavator, bulldozer, earthmover, motor-grader and compactor. Also training is available for mobile crane operators and commercial driver training for class A and class B licenses. West Coast has classes of up to 12 students per shift (two shifts per day) in heavy equipment classes and new classes begin every four weeks. Woolever said his company is an accredited training unit of the National Center for Construction Education and Research. They are also an approved testing facility and provide crane testing every four weeks for their graduates and to crane operators seeking certification.

How has the economy affected your business: Woolever said the economic crisis dealt a crushing blow to his industry and that translates to a huge reduction in revenue. Prior to the economic collapse, he averaged more than 250 graduates per year and employed 22 full-time employees. The failure of the Sallie Mae student loan program to continue offering funding for vocational training compounded the issue and there is no credible replacement.

Greatest challenge: Finding financial resources for potential students to fund their training programs.

o Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.

What’s ahead: Woolever said he is beginning to see growth and anticipates a slow but consistent recovery over the next several months. He said it was fantastic news when the revision to the Post-911 GI Bill was recently signed into law. The revision allows qualified veterans to utilize their benefits at private vocational schools that are VA approved. Woolever is hoping for more new students in August when the law takes effect.

Year established in Cowlitz County: Woolever bought the company in 2007.

Employees: 15 full time and two part time.

Telephone: 360-225-6787, 800-755-5477.

Fax: 360-225-6760.

E-mail: wct@ heavyequipmenttraining.com.

Website: http://www.heavyequipmenttraining.com/.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

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