Looking to enroll in a community-college program so you can land a good job?

You're not alone. Almost half the 500,000 students attending 35 accredited community and technical colleges in Washington say their top reason is for job training.

We asked community-college insiders for a selection of some of Puget Sound's "star" programs: among the best in their field, with solid accreditation, high- graduation and placement rates in jobs paying solid wages and industries forecasting a continuing need for workers.

Three also are "centers of excellence" — a state Higher Education Board designation awarded to 11 Washington schools for state-of-the-art workforce training programs.

Here are seven standouts:

Dental hygiene, Lake Washington Technical College, Kirkland

Why it's good: Grads score in top 20 percent on national boards and have 100 percent pass rate on clinical exams. School also offers more entry-level dental-assisting courses.

What you learn: To clean teeth, look for oral disease, perform restorative procedures, fill decayed teeth and administer anesthetic; may take and develop X-rays and apply fluoride or sealants with a dentist in private and community-health clinics. Program length: seven consecutive quarters, starting each fall.

Hiring outlook: State projects 23 percent hiring increase over next seven years (142 new dental-hygiene openings per year).

Job-placement rate: 100 percent for 28 annual grads.

Starting wage: $31.71 per hour.

Students accepted: 30 each fall; there are at least 150 applicants for the spots.

More info: lwtchost.ctc.edu/programs2/dental/dental/index.htm and 425-739-8377

Real estate and appraisal, North Seattle Community College

Why it's good: Program coordinator holds multiple awards for teaching and real-estate sales. Largest credit-earning program of its kind in state. New appraisal program debuted this fall.

What you learn: Comprehensive coursework of sales, property management, appraisal, real-estate finance, commercial investment/sales and more. Can earn certificates in different specialties or an associates of arts (A.A.S.) degree. Two-to six-quarter programs.

Hiring outlook: When housing market is hot, these jobs sizzle. State projects 15 percent hiring increase over next seven years (293 jobs per year).

Job-placement rate: 90 percent in sales; 75 percent for property management; 85 percent for appraising and 80 percent for loan processors

Starting wages: Varies by specialty. Entry-level jobs: $12.81 per hour. Annual median wage for salaried agents, with commissions: $30,930; property managers: $37,820.

Students accepted: 300 openings among all real-estate programs each quarter; about 340 apply.

More details: www.realestate.northseattle.edu and 206-527-3730

Automotive technician, Shoreline Community College

Why it's good: Designated State Center for Automotive and Manufacturing Excellence.* Two-year hands-on course includes internships through five auto factory-sponsored programs. Partnership with 260-member Puget Sound Auto Dealership Association provides extra training and a jump on jobs. Earned highest ranking and accreditation from National Automobile Technicians Education Foundation. Multiple award-winning instructors.

What you learn: Basic auto diagnostics and repair of everything from brakes and transmission to semi-conductors and microprocessors.

Hiring outlook: State projects 15.5 percent hiring increase over next seven years (526 openings per year).

Job-placement rate: 100 percent.

Starting wages: $30,000 per year.

Students accepted: 50 per year; wait list of one to two years to enter program but may take general-education classes during that time.

More info: www.shoreline.edu/autoprogram.html and 206-546-4621

Culinary arts, South Seattle Community College

Why it's good: Repeat winner of American Culinary Federation regional and national junior-chef competitions. Western Washington's only wine program.

What you learn: Pastry grads produce and decorate desserts and breads for retail and wholesale. Catering/restaurant grads learn food production, service and management with training in high-volume/short-order operations, cafeteria/institutional cooking, and classical cuisine for formal dining rooms. Five- and six-consecutive quarter programs.

Hiring outlook: State projects 14 percent hiring increase over next seven years (3,378 jobs per year).

Job-placement rate: 95-100 percent.

Starting wages: $10-$15 per hour.

Students accepted: 25 each quarter. Typical wait to be accepted is three to six months.

More details: www.chefschool.com or 206-764-5344

Opticianry, Seattle Central Community College

Why it's good: Among the highest job-placement programs in the state. Only nationally accredited opticianry program in Pacific Northwest.

What you learn: Grads become licensed dispensing opticians who prepare and fit eyewear and contact lenses based on prescriptions. Program length: seven quarters.

Hiring outlook: National employment expected to increase as aging baby boomers' vision deteriorates. State projects a 17-20 percent hiring increase over next seven years (28-31 openings per year).

Job-placement rate: 86-100 percent for 25 annual grads.

Starting wages: $30,000-$35,000 per year.

Students accepted: 25, accepted fall or winter quarters. No current wait list.

More details: seattlecentral.edu/proftech/PROopticianry.php and 206-344-4347

Computer programming, Bellevue Community College

Why it's good: BCC is a designated Center for Information Technology Excellence. Classrooms feature state-of-the-art PCs, Cisco networking equipment, a telecommunications lab, staff drawn from local industry, and daily training opportunities.

What you learn: Grads learn various programming languages, and skills in Windows and Web, with focus on relational database design and development, so they can become entry-level programmers/analysts. Six-quarter program typically starting any quarter.

Hiring outlook: State projects 27.7 percent hiring increase over next seven years (687 jobs per year).

Job-placement rate: 81 percent for about 30 annual grads.

Starting wages: $35,000-$40,000.

Students accepted: 30-60 each year. No wait list.

More details: www.bcc.ctc.edu/catalog/degrees/PROG and 425-564-2311

Teaching, Green River Community College

Why it's good: Designated Washington State Center of Excellence for Careers in Education. Multiple national and state awards and grants to prepare future K-12 teachers.

Hiring outlook: State projects a 17 percent hiring increase over next seven years (701 jobs per year). Specialty-teaching jobs rank Nos. 2, 3, 7 and 8 on "10 Hot Jobs in Snohomish County."

What you learn: Certificates and two-year degrees for early-childhood education career; Project TEACH offers two-year degrees for future K-12 teachers, including special training for secondary math and science teachers. Teamed with Central Washington University also provides last two years of four-year teaching degree. Science, math and other specific classes available for current elementary teachers.

Job-placement rate: Nearly 100 percent.

Starting wages: New K-12 teachers with a bachelor's degree earn about $30,023 per year. Para-educator salaries vary. Child-care salaries range from minimum wage to about $17 hourly for Head Start lead teachers.

Students accepted: No wait list.

More details: www.greenriver.edu or www.projectteach.org and (253) 833-9111, ext. 4360

*Also with the designation in this region, but too new for consideration on this star list, are Edmonds and Everett community colleges' Materials Technology in Manufacturing and Renton Technical College's Construction Center

Sources: Washington State Employment Security Department; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.