New Directions

Job-seekers retool themselves at Clark College through federal program.

As the economic recession continues to take a brutal toll on Southwest Washington, many local job-seekers find themselves without the right skills to qualify for the positions that employers need filled. They might have developed a related skill set after years in the workforce, but lack certification or require just a little additional training to be a proper fit.

Fortunately, some of the money allocated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was set aside to address just this issue, providing funding for accelerated, job-specific training programs at community colleges. On June 21, Clark College celebrated its ARRA-program graduates, each of whom had completed an intensive training in any of a number of fields that included Manual Machining Technician, Physical Therapy Aide, Project Management, and CISCO Networking Associate. About 100 of the 182 Clark College students attended a celebration in the Gaiser Student Center, where they received certificates of their completed training - not to mention a congratulatory cake!

Associate Dean of Workforce Education, Basic Education and Economic Development Danette Randolph opened the event by quoting some favorite lines from Dr. Seuss:

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.

Afterward, Robert Brown, area director of the Washington State Employment Security Department, congratulated the graduates on furthering their education. "It's extremely important to be in school," he said. "It's a great investment in education, and in yourself."

For Larry and Stephanie Brenot, it was an investment in their family's future. When Larry was laid off from the freightliner company where he'd worked, the couple had to sell their house and move with their two children into Stephanie's mother's house. Larry found out about the ARRA trainings through his unemployment office, and quickly signed up for the Basic Diesel Technician program. Meanwhile, Stephanie, who'd spent the last few years as a stay-at-home mom, noticed that ARRA also offered a program for dental assistants. "And I said, 'That's what I've always wanted to do!'" she said, sitting at a table after receiving her training-completion certificate.

The Brenots enrolled in their respective training programs together and helped each other stay motivated. "We had to learn to study again," recalled Stephanie. "There were mornings when I just wouldn't want to get out of bed, and he'd say, 'No, you have to get up and go to class.' And there were mornings when I did that to him."

Now both Brenots had completed their training, and Stephanie was slated to take her board-certification test in July. The couple was cautiously hopeful about the future. "They say it's supposed to pick up in the fall," Stephanie said, referencing the economy. "We're going to try to hold out till then."

There's some reason to hope; about a quarter of the 212 people who have completed ARRA-funded training have found new jobs, and WorkSource continues to work diligently to place the remaining trainees in permanent positions. And here's a piece of good news: As Brown noted in his remarks, a recent survey had found that, when they went back to work, the unemployed people who had completed this sort of workforce training earned an average of $3 more per hour than their peers who had not gone through training.

Class Notes

Clark College students beat the drum for music education in our nation's capital.

During the week of June 23-27, 2010, the Clark College Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Women's Choral Ensemble, and Concert Band proudly represented Clark College by performing throughout Washington, D.C. The performances were part of Music Education Week, an event sponsored by the National Association for Music Education (MENC) to raise awareness of the importance of music as part of a comprehensive education.

The trip began on the steps of the Capitol, when Washington State Congressman Brian Baird graciously took time to personally greet all the Clark College music students. The students presented Rep. Baird with a Clark College baseball jersey and cap, and then sang the national anthem in a show of appreciation.

The Music Education Week events began with the Rally for Music Education in Upper Senate Park, where all three Clark College music ensembles performed following speeches by MENC officials. Other highlighted Clark performances throughout the week included the Women's Choral Ensemble performing at both the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Washington National Cathedral. Highlights for the Concert Band and Vocal Jazz included performances in front of the Lincoln Memorial and an intimate concert dedicated to the retired veterans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (previously called the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's home). The week ended with a salute to America in a pre-ceremony show opening the Drum Corps International Salutes America competition, in which all Music Education Week participants collaborated on the field to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Women's Choral Ensemble Director and Clark Director of Choral Studies April Duvic said, "This is our first-ever East Coast trip and we are so honored to be here." She further elaborated that although Clark music groups have traveled as far as China and Korea to perform, "this is something special."

Student Kacy Cross, who sings in the Women's Choral Ensemble, was extremely appreciative of the efforts being displayed this week. "A big focus of our trip was to rally for music education," she said. "I cannot emphasize enough the impact that music has on a student's life, from kindergarten to college graduation. The opportunity to sing in our nation's capital was one I will never forget."

Clark Director of Bands Rich Inouye agreed. "This tour really represents the comprehensive education we try to provide at Clark," he said. "It was the perfect balance of culture, education, and performance, and the students really had a great experience."

Clark band student Kelly Henick was especially moved by the performance at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. "We had a lot of really great concerts, but when we performed for such an appreciative audience as the retired veterans, it really meant a lot to me," she said.

The students and directors of the Clark College Music Department would like to especially thank the Associated Students of Clark College, whose generous funding made the trip possible.