Integrated Basic Education
Skills Training (I-BEST)

I-BEST pairs a professional or technical program with Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses; ​including reading, writing, and math skills.  I-BEST provides educational access and support for students to progress further and faster along career pathways.​ Students are paired with an ABE, ESL, or GED instructor, as well as a professional-technical program instructor for twice the support in each classroom.

Key Facts:

  • I-BEST allows students without a high school diploma or equivalency to enroll in college-level programs
  • Earn a college certificate that prepares you to work in a high-demand career
  • I-BEST students receive registration, advising, and career planning support
  • Funding (Opportunity Grant) is available for those who qualify
  • Increase academic skills while earning college-level credits
  • Pathways for continued education (Certificates, AAS, BAS)
  • Online and in-person classes available
Contact I-Best Coorindator

I-BEST Career Programs

Agriculture (AG) I-BEST

YVC offers a three quarter I-BEST AG program that prepares students interested in a career in the wine industry. This I-BEST focuses on Viticulture and Enology while reinforcing basic reading, writing, and math. After finishing this program, students will be one course away from a YVC Wine Sales Certificate. With this certificate, students will be able to attain employment as a Tasting Room Attendant. This I-BEST is available at YVC’s Grandview Campus and helps students pursue Viticulture and Wine Technology certificates and degrees in the STEM Pathway.

Business Technology (BT) I-BEST

YVC offers students the opportunity to obtain general office skills while reinforcing basic reading, writing, and math. This I-BEST is offered on the Yakima Campus for four consecutive quarters of study and prepares students to pursue Administrative Office Assistant and Bilingual Administrative Office Assistant degrees as well as other degrees and certificates in the Business Pathway.

Business Technology Certificates

The Business Technology program offers two Office Worker certificates that begin every Fall and Spring quarter.

Office Worker Certificate I

Program Courses

Fall/Spring

  • BT 100 – Intro to BT (2 credits)
  • BT 101 – Beginning Keyboard (5 credits)
  • ABE Writing 4/5 (I-BEST)
  • ABE Math 4/5

Winter/Summer

  • IT 102 – Windows (2 credits)
  • IT 111 – Intro to Excel (2 credits)
  • ABE Writing 4/5 (I-BEST)
  • ABE Math 4/5

Office Worker Certificate II

Program Courses

Spring/Fall

  • BT 102 – Intermediate Keyboard (5 credits)
  • BT 130 – Basic Business Essentials (5 credits; Spring only)
  • ABE Writing 4/5 (I-BEST)
  • ABE Math 4/5

Summer/Winter

  • BT 160 – Word (2 credits; in-seat only)
  • BT 190 – Job Shadow (1 credit)
  • ABE Writing 4/5 (I-BEST)
  • ABE Math 4/5

Eligibility

  • 18 years of age or older
  • GED is not required
  • Funding is available for those who qualify
  • Required ABE levels: Reading/Writing-4, Math-4

WorkFirst Students

Case manager approval is required

Pharmacy Assistant (AH) I-BEST

A Pharmacy Assistant is an in-demand healthcare career that provides ample employment opportunities and flexible work environments. Pharmacy assistants assist pharmacists by performing all clerical duties necessary to ensure that a pharmacy is running efficiently. They answer telephone calls, manage the cash register, and restock shelves with medication and other pharmaceutical supplies. YVC’s Pharmacy Assistant Certificate takes one quarter to complete with an opportunity to continue your education at YVC as a Pharmacy Technician. The pharmaceutical field offers a multitude of advancement opportunities, making it an ideal field for anyone who wants long-term professional possibilities and exciting new challenges. Pharmacy assistants can expect to earn over $30k a year, with a job outlook growing faster than the average employment field over the next ten years.

About the Program
Pharmacy Assistant Certificate (5 Credits) | Online instruction
Opportunity Grant money available
Average wage: $18.11 an hour

The program takes one quarter to complete.

Foundation Courses

  • Healthcare Terminology
  • Healthcare Workplace Skills

Program Courses with supporting I-BEST courses

Quarter 1 Winter

  • AH 155 First Aid/CPR/Blood-Borne Pathogen Training, 2 credits
  • AH 105 Introduction to Pharmacology, 3 credits
  • ABE Math 4/5
  • ABE Writing 4/5

Phlebotomy (AH) I-BEST
The I-BEST/Phlebotomy partnership is not available for the 2023-2024 Academic year.

Phlebotomy is an exciting entry-level healthcare career that provides ample employment opportunities and excellent exposure to the many areas of the healthcare industry. Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research or blood donations. YVC’s Phlebotomy certificate program takes two quarters to complete, with lab instruction on both the Yakima and Grandview campuses. Working phlebotomists can expect to earn over $30k a year, with a job outlook growing faster than the average employment field over the next ten years.

About the Program
Phlebotomy Certificate (11 Credits) | Online instruction |100-hour externship
Opportunity Grant money available
Average wage: $22.34 an hour
22% Job Growth (2020-2030)

Phlebotomy Program

The program is two quarters in length. The first quarter is three classes. AHPH 170 is a fully online course, AH 155 is a hybrid (online and face-to-face) and AHPH 171 is a face-to-face lab course offered on the Yakima and Grandview campuses. The second quarter is one class. AHPH 172 is the externship course. Most of the course is completed by participating in an externship experience in a local lab and hospital setting.

I-BEST supporting courses

  • ABE Math 4/5
  • ABE Writing 4/5

Foundation Courses

  • Healthcare Terminology
  • Healthcare Workplace Skills

Program Courses with supporting I-BEST courses

  • Quarter 1 Winter
    • AH 155 First Aid/CPR/Blood-Borne Pathogen Training, 2 credits
    • AHPH 170 Phlebotomy Theory, 4 credits
    • AHPH 171 Phlebotomy Lab, 1 credit
  • Quarter 2 Spring
    • AHPH 172 Phlebotomy Externship, 4 credits

Program entry requirements

  • 2 doses MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) or proof of immunity by titer
  • 2 doses of Varicella (chicken pox) or documentation from a physician of disease or proof of immunity by titer
  • 1 dose Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
  • 3 doses Hepatitis B, tuberculosis (TB) PPD skin test (if no documented negative skin test within the last 12 months a 2-step PPD is required)
  • Current-year seasonal flu shot
  • Current healthcare provider CPR/First Aid card and a 7-hour HIV/Blood Bourne Pathogens certificate is also required.

Contact

Andrea Gutierrez Trammell
509.834.4527
agutierreztrammell@yvcc.edu