Community College of Allegheny County plans to create what leaders are calling "an economic stimulus package for Western Pennsylvania" -- a free tuition program for county residents laid off in the recession plus help for struggling businesses.

Plans include extending waivers for tuition and fees to those who live in Allegheny County and can provide a letter from their employer showing their job loss was due to layoff. Participants can enroll in one of five degree or certificate programs that were chosen, in part, because the state has identified them as high priority and they are seen likely to allow individuals to quickly re-enter the work force.

To be eligible, participants must apply for financial aid. Officials said CCAC would foot whatever portion of tuition and fees -- up to 36 credits taken within two years of a job loss -- that isn't covered by the aid award.

The idea, a collaboration between the college and county, is to be unveiled this afternoon at a news conference attended by Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Alex Johnson, president of CCAC.

College trustees, who met yesterday, have been briefed on the plan and were expected to formally authorize it when they meet next month, Dr. Johnson said. Those expressing support yesterday included CCAC board Chairman Thomas Santone.

How many workers will take advantage of the program is unclear. However, some at CCAC and within the county are drawing parallels -- at least in the program's intent -- with CCAC's successful push to retrain displaced steelworkers more than a generation ago and more recent assistance for displaced workers including those at US Airways.

"The numbers could be dramatic, or they could be minuscule, but I think the important thing for us as a community college is to present this opportunity," Dr. Johnson said.

The college already has a referral process for displaced workers. "But given the economic environment ... we felt we had to step up to the plate and do something more substantial," Dr. Johnson said.

"Allegheny County and CCAC have a long history of working together to provide educational support and work force training to our residents and businesses, especially during difficult economic times," Mr. Onorato said. "We're fortunate to have an institution like CCAC that can quickly respond to the changing needs and circumstances of our community."

Once formally authorized by the board, special courses are expected to begin in March that will include three for-credit programs -- in information technology support at Boyce campus, basic electronics at North campus and phlebotomy at South campus.

In addition, two noncredit certificate programs will be available -- one in emergency medical technician training at Allegheny campus and certified nurse aide training, delivered at present at the Downtown center. The college said the program could eventually expand.

Regular classes at CCAC resume Monday. Planners said the program's March starting date is intended to allow those who enroll to finish the spring term and, if length of program warrants, enroll with regularly scheduled courses in the summer.

The program does not cover textbooks and other expenses. College officials said other financial aid including GAP scholarships might help with those costs.

In addition to help for workers, employers experiencing layoffs and other restructuring that affects at least 50 employees will be able to work on transition strategies with help from the county's economic development staff and CCAC through the CCAC-Allegheny County Workforce Alliance.