| Written by Administrator, on 09-20-2007 00:00 |
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Page 2 of 2 Terrance Edwards has been on the job for two months with IBEW Local 11, which is an electricians union. “I came out of the Marines without the type of skills to get a decent job,” said Edwards, “I heard about the Community/Faith-Based Construction Initiative. I signed up, took one session of training and...passed it on the first try. The initiative really helped me start a career.” (Insert photo of Terence speaking at the one year Faith-Based check-in on 7/19 with appropriate caption) There have been numerous success stories from the first year of the job recruitment and training effort. For example, the Painters Union inducted a group of 24 African-American ex-offenders into its apprenticeship program. Over the past year, the union has expanded the African-American participation in its apprenticeship program from 3 percent to 11 percent and opened up a training program near LAX. The Carpenters provided apprenticeship opportunities to more than 40 Imperial Courts residents in South Los Angeles. The Ironworkers Union has also been doing an outstanding job in recruitment and training for all interested candidates including ex-offenders and ex-gangmembers. Recently an exam, specially arranged by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, was held for 36 Ironworker Apprentices who needed a Welder’s License to perform structural welding. The candidates attended training classes tailored for them. They devoted three hours each night studying and preparing for the test, which is a major career step. Passing the exam means they can earn more money and have a wider range of job choices. The good news is 80 percent of the Ironworkers who participated in the special study program, passed the exam. This is a huge success because the average passing rate is 50 percent. The Mayor met with the test takers to congratulate their success and restate his commitment to facilitating the development of the skilled workforce that the City needs because of the construction boom. At a meeting to mark the first year’s progress, churches were referred to as “ground zero” in the recruitment and outreach for qualified candidates. Not everyone who applies will be able to enter the trades but the doors are definitely open. Qualified candidates will usually need to pass a drug test, provide a high school diploma or GED and have their own vehicle with insurance. Ministers and community organizations were reminded to continue to spread the word about the construction initiative, and to counsel, support and coach young recruits on how to be “job ready.”
Job seekers should call the UAW WorkSource Center at 323-730-7900 for more information on the Community/Faith-Based Construction Initiative. The Center is able to provide boots, tools, and initiation fees to qualified candidates. Recruitment and assessment workshops meet there every Thursday at 9 a.m. (3965 S. Vermont, just west of the Coliseum and north of King Blvd.)
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