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Joseph Yount
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On August
12th 1996, I was laid off from my job at Tri-Star Marine, a shipyard in
Ballard. I was told that I would be called back, but by Sept. 24th I was
still unemployed.
Washington State Employment Security had sent me a letter to come to a
worker profile call. There I learned that I could be eligible for a program
at North Seattle Community College called Workforce Training... In only
a little more than 24 hours, I had gone from being a displaced middle-aged
unemployed shipyard worker, to a student of computer network technology
with a very good potential.
I have been in class in for 3 weeks now, and I'm eating it up! I want to
say that this is a great program and that the powers-that-be would do well
to continue offering this (or even expanding it) chance to others.
...I would like to add that I'm a registered voiter and plan to seek the
candidates that stand for education and vote for them!...
A truly grateful and hopefully worthy student. |
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| As a single
parent, the biggest point in the whole endeavor of finding work was the
convenience of Employment Security on campus. With all of the demands of
single moms such as school, employment, and children, it is not always
possible to get to the Job Service Centers. The reassurance that it was
available plus the support from Workforce Training and Employment Security
helped a lot, the fact that I could squeeze in visits in-between classes. |
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Karen Ronald 
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Dave Waterstraat
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| I am 52
years old, and was stone broke, ineligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
because I was self employed. I was turned onto the Private Industry Council
and became eligible for the Workforce Training Program.
Personally, I think its great-the
whole Workforce Training-Displaced Worker program. Through the efforts
of Jeff and Mel on campus, they were instrumental in helping me in the
right direction even though I wound up not going to Highline. I can't say
enough good about the program. It's instrumental in getting a person started,
and its more amicable dealing with a state employee on campus, its a lighter
atmosphere and I felt free to communicate in a college community setting
versus being in a big state office. I think that people who can lose their
benefits, the fact that they can talk in a more liberated setting is helpful.
Now, when I graduate in spring
I'll probably get a scholarship to complete a four year degree in Beijing,
China teaching foreign languages. The program at Edmonds Community College
is great.
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| I had driven
a truck for 12 years when I attended the Career Transitions Class in the
fall of 1995. I wanted to find what else I would enjoy doing and wanted
the opportunity to go back to school and train for another career. After
Career Transitions, I took business classes at Highline Community College.
While I ultimately remained in the truck driving profession, I was able
to use that experience in the business and career transition courses to
become an owner-operator, and now drive my own Peterbilt and making lots
of money. I do appreciate the chance that Workforce Training gave me.
It was a once in a lifetime
opportunity.
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Melinda Jones |
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Marc Swislow
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| Twice in
about six months, I faced a layoff in the aerospace industry. At 49 years
of age, I , being a single parent raising two children, felt it was time
for a mid-life career change. For me, Workforce Training at Edmonds Community
College provided the answer. It put me into a new and growing field, one
that I enjoy doing. I install, maintain and repair computers...
...
...I went to the Employment
Security Office to find out what training was available...
...I decided to take all the
training I could get. I worked hard at it, at one point going to Edmonds
Community College in the mornings, working as an intern in the afternoon
and returning to school several nights a week. It paid off. In addition
to an Associate of Technical Arts degree in computer/electronics, I have
a one-year certificate in Computer Information Systems involving micro
computer support and in computer networking.
Through my instructor who
worked a Virginia Mason, I did a 10-week internship there. It was extended.
A month after it ended, I was asked by Virginia Mason to come back as a
contract worker. Three weeks stretched into eight months and when a full-time
position opened, I applied and was hired in February. I am now a micro
computer support specialist for Virginia Mason Medical Center and all its
satellites...
...For two and one-half years
I went to school to learn something different. I enjoy what I’m doing.
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| After working
for a dentist as a bookkeeper for 10 years, I was unemployed but wanted
to stay in the dental field because I absolutely love the work. Since July,
1993, I had been out of work. When my unemployment insurance benefits were
about to expire I was asked by a state agency if anyone had told me about
Workforce Training? When the Employment Security Department approved Workforce
Training, My unemployment benefits were continued and I received financial
aid. Non computerized bookkeeping was considered a dying job and that’s
what I had done for a decade.
Because I had graduated from
high school in 1979, I was hesitant about returning to class work. But
I overcame that hesitancy and enrolled in the Workforce Training program
at Edmonds Community College. Not only did I complete seven quarters, I
received three certificates and am one quarter short of reaching my goal,
an Associate of Technical Arts degree in accounting. In July, 1995 I received
certificates in Dental Office Program, Advanced Office Skill and Accounting.
Hesitant about going back
to school? Not anymore. Working once again, I plan to complete that quarter
at night for my associate of accounting degree...
...I really liked Workforce
Training. I was very pleased. The advisors I had were excellent
I am bookkeeper, receptionist
and office administrative manager in an office in the University District...
...The experience and knowledge
I gained at school allowed me to broaden my knowledge of the field. Before,
I just knew bookkeeping, now I’m in full charge of the front office.
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Susan Hatch |
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Glen McLeod
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| As far
as I am concerned, the Workforce Training program at Edmonds Community
College provided me with my future. I was a supervisor in Nintendo’s assembly
plant in Redmond when that part of the operation was transferred to Mexico.
A quick look at that scenario and it sounds like I fell afoul of the North
American Free Trade Agreement. I don’t consider myself a victim of NAFTA,
it affected me fortunately for the good.
Within a few weeks of being
laid off in March, 1994, I began college. I was steered into Edmonds Community
College’s retraining by the State Employment Security office. While in
school, my unemployment insurance benefits continued and I received money
to cover my tuition and books. It turned out well for me because of school,
I’m in a much better job now.
Before actually enrolling
in classes, I went through career counseling and skills assessment at the
college to determine where I fit. I wanted to get into computer training
and my test scores supported my choice. In December, 1995, I completed
the course for my Associate of Technical Arts degree in Computer Information
Systems.
Using the school’s Job Development
Office, I received help writing my resume. It also supplied me with job
leads. One of those leads turned into a job. I interviewed on two jobs
in the same day and I received offers from both.
Since January, I have been
a programmer/analyst maintaining a client server system data base for a
cruise line, Alaska Sight-seeing Cruise West.
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