Thursday, April 05, 2012WARREN, Ohio – Tracee Joltes stood before more than 100 in Packard Music Hall Wednesday to explain how a ShaleNET grant can fund their preparation for entry-level jobs in the Utica and Marcellus shale plays.
Joltes, assistant director of workforce outreach at Eastern Gateway Community College, related how the community college has educated others at its main campus in Steubenville, most of them quickly hired upon graduation, and is looking to replicate that success on its campus here.
After the success of the first class, Eastern Gateway is gearing up for more month-long classes, including one in its center downtown.
Last month, the first class of 18 graduated from the Steubenville campus. Twenty-one entered the program and 16 of the 18 who graduated found jobs, Joltes related. Some students were going on job interviews before the class ended.
Although the community college will help students find a job, a job is not guaranteed. That depends on the student.
The next two classes scheduled at the Jefferson County campus are scheduled this month and next. The April class is filled, Joltes said, and the May class is half filled.
The class in Warren begins in June and has only 18 seats, so Joltes advised those interested to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Applying for training through the community college is only the first step. Applicants also must complete a ShaleNET questionnaire, pass physical fitness tests, drug screenings criminal records and establish their eligibility under Workforce Investment Act criteria. They must also secure a WorkKeys Career Readiness certificate through Eastern Gateway.
Last week Mayor Doug Franklin announced the city would reimburse applicants the cost of their drug screenings, physical exams and background checks should they be accepted into the Eastern Gateway program that begins in June.
The March and April classes prepared students to be roustabouts, but Joltes said the May and June classes would likely be for floor hands, that is, derrick and rotary drill operators.
“If the classes go well and there’s a lot of interest, we may continue to offer the other classes pertaining to the other jobs involved in the industry,” said Anthony D’Apolito, director of the community college’s Warren campus.
Once a company hires a student, he has opportunities to move into several positions, Joltes said.
If a worker quits after three months on the job because he did not appreciate the demands on his family or social life, Joltes said, the company loses about $50,000 in training cost and integrating that new worker.
“That’s why this program is important for those companies,” Joltes said.
Copyright 2012 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.