High school students in rural Southwest Washington districts now have expanded opportunities to earn college credit to prepare them for in-demand education and jobs after high school.

“When we first looked at this issue a few years ago, we recognized that most school districts couldn’t even offer a single (vocational and technical education) course,” said Vickei Hrdina, director of career and training for ESD 112. a regional agency serving schools in Clark, Skamania, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat and Pacific counties.