Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 1 by changing its name to Puget Sound Skills Center.

The new name more accurately demonstrates that the center draws students from Seattle to Fife, principal/director Sue Shields announced.

It is located in Burien, south of Sea-Tac International Airport.

The term, "occupational" does not reflect the fact that the center's programs now lead to college credits or national certification, Shields said.

At an anniversary reception catered by culinary arts students, the center's first director noted that the Highline School District's first vocational program was a 13-week course with high-school dropouts.

The dropouts almost destroyed the bus that brought them, Hugh Albrecht remembered. Albrecht was principal from 1966 to 1987.

Ben Yormack, Highline's first vocational director, convinced Superintendent Carl Jensen to start a vocational center, Albrecht said.

The center opened with 96 students in four programs.

"We didn't know what we were doing," Albrecht joked.

Reba Gilman, principal from 1988 to 2004, said that during her tenure the center crafted a mission statement, began student leadership training, started student portfolios and internships, and added students from the Tahoma School District.

"When I think of the Occupational Skills Center, I think of family," declared Gilman, who is now principal of the district's Aviation High School.

Shields, who took over from Gilman, forecast, "The next 40 years are bright."

With 800 students currently enrolled at the skills center and 700 registered for summer school, Shields said their goal for next year is 1,000 students.