Unique partnership between SBVC, local union, and Southern California Gas Company results in brighter future via education.
To the uninformed eye, Professor Sandra Balderrama’s Monday/Wednesday evening
Computer Information Technology class may look like any other at SBVC. However, the flickering lights of the computer screens are feeding the flame of the students’ professional development while fueling a brighter future for the
Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 132 members and employees at the
Southern California Gas Company.
But, without the teamwork and persistence of Case Manager Michele Gracia and SBVC Dean of Mathematics, Business, and Computer Technology, Dr. Haragewen Kinde, this opportunity would never have come to fruition for these seventeen students.
AN EDUCATIONAL CONCIERGE
This educational opportunity for the members of Local 132 was made possible by a “Green Skills = Green Jobs” grant provided by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that was awarded to the National Utility Workers Union of America. Michele Gracia works for the sub-grantee ACCORD Community First, a non-profit organization based out of Long Beach providing an array of services to promote new job opportunities and enhance career pathways. The presence of a case manager liaison helps ensure all participants in the program will have the best chance of succeeding in the program. In short, she serves as a sort of educational concierge for the Local 132 members who showed an interest in the program.
“I did whatever it took to make sure that all they had to do was show up and be ready to learn,” Gracia shared. “All of the part-time meter readers were in the path of layoffs and were the primary targets for this program. With upgraded skills and more education, the employees will now have the chance to locate advancement opportunities within the company.”
Gracia spent many late nights making sure all barriers to participating in the class were removed. This yeoman’s work included filling out applications, registering for WebAdvisor, tracking down transcripts, securing parking permits, providing color-coded maps, and plotting the next steps on this new path regularly with Dr. Kinde to ensure a seamless experience. On the first day of classes, all students met at the SBVC Bookstore to purchase the textbook and software necessary to get started.
Students definitely recognized Michele’s efforts in ensuring that all they had to do was show up and be prepared to learn. Students shared comments such as: “Painless,” “I didn’t have to stand in any lines,” and “Fun! That was the LAST thing I expected.”
INVESTING IN EDUCATION
“I had been thinking about looking into taking some classes somewhere, but just hadn’t gotten around to it yet,” said John Albright, Lead Customer Service Representative at the Southern California Gas Company. “Once I heard about the opportunity at a union meeting, I knew this was the time.”
Meter Reader Star Valadez tried taking continuing education classes before but found herself underwhelmed with the experience.
“I had taken several small training courses, but would always find a way to miss a few here and there,” Valadez admitted. “But I’ve made sure not to miss a single session of this class.”
For Meter Reader Reena Hackett, trying to find time for school while working two jobs was the biggest barrier. But, only a few weeks into the class, she is already seeing the return on her investment.
“The other day, I was able to prepare mailing labels the correct way and organized safety records in Microsoft Excel for the first time,” Hackett said.
Valadez created party invitations complete with images for a recent family get-together and Albright has already used what he’s learned about Microsoft Excel to prepare equations at work.
“Based on this experience, I may look to see what else is available here at the college. I didn’t even know these classes were offered here and I think I’ll be taking a look through the schedule for next semester,” Albright said.
“I know that the workforce and upcoming job positions will need these skills. So, when it was offered, I went for it,” Valadez said. “I love how the professor goes step-by-step—it makes me excited to learn. I wouldn’t have been able to do this in an online class at home.”
Many older students in the class who didn’t grow up with computers and the Internet are finding themselves less intimidated by taking control of the mouse.
“My family was always teasing me because I am the least computer-literate person in my family. But now, it’s great because I can show them the RIGHT way to use the programs,” student Chris Almada said. “The other day, I was interviewing for a job and felt confident enough to make some quick changes to my résumé that morning that were relevant to the specific position. Before this class, I would never have done that—I would have been too terrified of messing something up.”
FUTURE OF EDUCATION?
For most of the 17 students, this experience of taking a college course was not their first—a symbol of the challenge that many students face in navigating the pathways to success on the campuses of institutions of higher learning.
“I went to college before, but it was never like this,” Almada said.
SBVC already partners with Stater Bros. where multiple retail management classes are taught on site at their world headquarters in San Bernardino. Building employee skill sets not only benefits the individual and the organization’s human capital, but also positively impacts the local economy, with citizens earning higher wages and the appeal of a skilled workforce to woo employers to the region. Learning in smaller communities (also called cohorts) can also assist in minimizing the intimidation factor as employees learn new skills alongside colleagues.
“We all knew each other already as co-workers, so we are more comfortable in the classroom because we all have something in common,” said student and Local 132 member Justin “Drew” Liggin.
“This could be a ‘win-win model’ of the future of education. We want to build connections with our community because the San Bernardino area needs a skilled workforce,” Kinde said. “Companies that have professional development needs don’t need to spend money on outsourcing—just partnering with their local community college will result in a more educated workforce.”