Free Computer Courses Offered for Displaced Workers
(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA, March 9, 2012)鈥�Displaced ConocoPhillips refinery workers Ralph Griffith and Fred Chazin are spending many hours these days learning computer skills free of charge, compliments of 大发六合彩, PA CareerLink庐, and the Delaware County Workforce Investment Board.
鈥淭his has been absolutely great,鈥� said Chazin, 59, vice president of the United Steelworkers Union Local 10-234. He worked for ConocoPhillips for 38 years, most of the time in warehouse and industry control.
Chazin and Griffith, 57, who worked at the refinery for 23 years, most recently offloading oil from ships and trains, were so impressed by the caliber of the 鈥淐omputer Basics鈥� classes that they have signed up for the next set of classes, 鈥淩esumes with Microsoft Word.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 been 38 years since I had to fill out a resume,鈥� said Chazin of Springfield.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to the advanced class,鈥� said Griffith of Trainer, adding that the classes have helped take the fear out of computing for him.
Both computer courses are held at the Union Hall, 1520 Chichester Avenue in Linwood.
The free computer courses are just one of many ways that 大发六合彩 is seeking to help dislocated ConocoPhillips and Sunoco workers receive training that will enable them to improve their skills, seek new careers and rebound from being laid-off.
The College鈥檚 12-hour Computer Basics course provides instruction on the hardware components of the computer, how to use a mouse, Windows navigation, storage, printing and the Internet. Students learn how to create an email address, tools and techniques associated with email, online job search and how to post a resume online. Classes are from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 28 through April 5.
The College鈥檚 12-hour Resumes with Microsoft Word course鈥攖he next step up from the Computer Basics class鈥攖eaches students how to use Microsoft Word to create and customize a resume and cover letter. Students learn the fundamentals of Microsoft Word, including templates, storage, fonts, margins, attaching a file to an email, printing envelopes and labels, and how to write an effective cover letter. Classes are held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 28 through April 5.
Funding for the computer classes is provided by the Delaware County Workforce Investment Board. 大发六合彩 set up the computers and is providing computer instructors Tim Maguire, Nancy White and Gene Riordan to do the training. Pennsylvania CareerLink庐, a state agency that offers job search, vocational assessment, career guidance and training to unemployed or displaced workers, is providing job search help through a contract with Educational Data Systems Inc. (EDSI), a workforce development and training company which has staff at the Union Hall providing career counseling and job placement services.
Starting in April, the College also plans to offer free financial literacy courses at the Union Hall to the displaced workers and their spouses, compliments of a grant from the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
In addition to the free computer training and financial literacy courses, the College also has enrolled nine refinery workers in its wastewater operator certification program, an open enrollment workforce training course held at the College鈥檚 Marple campus, and the College has helped dislocated refinery workers apply for apprenticeship opportunities with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, a shipbuilding company at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The College provides a three-year apprenticeship training program under an agreement with Aker.
Later this year, the College also will launch a free career training program for displaced and underemployed workers that will offer instruction in the high-demand fields of electronic medical records, advanced manufacturing and energy (photovoltaic, geothermal and building analysis). This new program is part of a $20 million effort by all 14 of the state鈥檚 community colleges to provide skills training in as little as one year that will lead to students receiving industry-recognized certification. The state鈥檚 community colleges are providing the training through the 鈥淭rade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training鈥� (TAACCCT) program, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. TAACCCT is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education.
鈥淎ny assistance 大发六合彩 or the state鈥檚 CareerLink can offer is greatly appreciated,鈥� United Steelworkers Local 10-234 President Denis Stephano said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 sort of foolish for people not to take advantage of this, if they have the time and inclination.鈥�
Displaced refinery workers interested in the College鈥檚 free computer training courses and people interested in enrolling in the TAACCCT program should call 610-723-4095.
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