SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. /eNewsChannels/ — Members of the first graduating class of Technical Employment Training, Inc. (TET) were unable to accept their diploma because they were already busy at their new jobs, reports the Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County.
“When I first came to TET, they promised me two things: we will get you certified in high-tech machining and we will place you in a job,” said Troy Gayler of Redlands, CA. Troy started his new job at Sierra Aluminum the same week of his graduation ceremony. “TET gave me a second chance and a new career. This would not be possible without TET, Dr. William Clarke and my instructors,” he exclaimed proudly.
Investing $190,000 of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds, the San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board and County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors helped TET launch its first class in July 2010. Thirty-one students completed the program in December 2010, and 27 of these students have been placed into jobs or have pending job offers from local businesses. The direct return on investment to the government in federal and state taxes is estimated at nearly $300,000 in only one year. If the state and federal income tax paid back to the government is averaged over a 25-year career for these newly trained workers, the return on this investment of $190,000 is more than $7 million.
A 501(c) 3 business-education cooperative, TET provides each student with 630 hours of On-the-Job Training to earn two National Institute for Metalworking Skills Machining Level 1 certifications. Skilled machinists are in strong demand by local manufacturers as many skilled workers in this field are nearing retirement age.
The first class used their new high-tech machining skills to develop a very special project to assist fellow student, Joe Quattrochhi design and create his own prosthetic leg.
“When President Obama called for innovation and entrepreneurship in this country, TET and our County’s Workforce Investment Board made it happen within our own community,” said Chair Josie Gonzales, County of San Bernardino Fifth District Supervisor. “This program is a shining example of how federal funding can give new opportunities to dislocated workers and local businesses that need skilled employees in order to remain competitive.”
“What makes this program so unique is that businesses bring jobs to the school and allow students to put their skills to work in a real-world environment,” said Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board and Director of the Workforce Development Department in San Bernardino County. “With 90 percent of the students placed in jobs, TET has proven to be a great model of self-sufficiency by preparing students to step into jobs immediately after completing their training.”
Prospective students may contact Technical Employment Training, Inc. by visiting http://www.technicalemploy.org/. County residents who have been unemployed and qualify for assisted training may access Employment Resource Center services via www.csb-win.org or 800.451.JOBS.
About the Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County:
The Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County is comprised of private business representatives and public partners appointed by the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors. The Board strives to strengthen the skills of the county’s workforce through partnerships with business, education and community-based organizations. The County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors is committed to providing county resources which generate jobs and investment.
The Workforce Investment Board, through the County of San Bernardino’s Economic Development Agency and Workforce Development Department, operates the County’s Employment Resource Centers (ERCs) and Business Resource Centers (BRCs). The ERCs provide individuals with job training, placement and the tools to strengthen their skills to achieve a higher quality of life, and the BRCs support and provide services to the county’s businesses including employee recruitment.
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