City of Santa Ana partners with College District to put residents back to work

By Miguel A. Pulido

RSCCD's Corporate Training Institute Teams up with Santa Ana W/O/R/K Center to Put Residents Back to Work

When he learned about the new Job Technology Program that would be providing assistance for 100 displaced workers, he was thrilled. The program, a joint venture of the Santa Ana W/O/R/K Center and Rancho Santiago Community College District's Corporate Training Institute, is providing participants skills assessments, basic skills training in math and reading, as well as training in water technology and solar energy fundamentals. A Department of Labor earmark grant provided $200,000 to underwrite the program.

"I was excited about the training because I want to find a job, something that requires more skill than what I was doing," said Lopez. "I worked in concrete before; it was really hard manual labor."

So far, Lopez, who has a GED he obtained at Santa Ana College's Centennial Education Center, has completed an assessment of his basic skills. The Work Keys evaluation, provided through the college district's ACT Center, determines in which areas participants need additional instruction. For approximately three weeks, he has focused on improving his math and reading skills, as well as learning how to read and understand graphs, a skill he will need as he pursues a career in water technology.

On Thursday, October 7, Lopez will be one of 30 students to begin intensive training in water technology. Instruction will be provided in water distribution, water treatment, and wastewater management programs. The 108 hours of classes will be conducted by the American Water Works Association-California Nevada Section in concert with Santiago Canyon College's water science technology program.

After successfully finishing the program, students will receive a certificate of completion and will be able to apply for the state exams administered in spring 2011. If the participants pass the exams for Level I and Level II certification as a water distribution operator and water treatment operator, they will be certified for employment in entry-level positions in these functions. The Santa Ana W/O/R/K Center will assist those who secure certification with job placement services.

"My hope is if I focus on this training for two to three months, I'll have a better chance of getting hired," said Lopez. "If I could work even part-time, I will have time to go back to school and improve my education."

In addition, the Job Technology Program will offer a Solar Energy Photovoltaic Technology program to 25 students. This 18-hour introductory curriculum will cover the solar energy market and applications, safety and electricity basics, and solar energy fundamentals.

Participants in the Job Technology Program can also access the services of The Cambodian Family, a Santa Ana non-profit serving the refugee and immigrant community, for assistance with resume development and additional job search support.

The free water technology training will get underway at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 7, at Rancho Santiago Community College District Offices, located at 2323 N. Broadway in Santa Ana. Training will continue through the end of May 2011. The class can accommodate more students, but there is limited space. Participants must be at least 18 years old and residents of Santa Ana. For more information and to register, call the Santa Ana W/O/R/K Center at (714) 565-2600.