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Re-working the Workforce |
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Whee...e |
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In response to the massive layoffs in Silicon Valley in the 1990’s Computerific!™ developed our long-standing and successful Career Transition Program (Computer-Based Skills). This award-winning 220-hour program was government-funded for over a decade for dislocated workers. The Pace Award was granted to Computerific!™ by the U. S. Department of Commerce in recognition of the innovative techniques used to prepare workers for the 21st century. These workers had enjoyed many years of employment in various fields and had performed competently in making Silicon Valley a leader. The office workers (including all levels of management) were now faced with the formidable task of learning to relate to computer technology. Most of them felt threatened and feared that their careers were in jeopardy. There was a lot of sadness and insecurity. In order to provide complete supportive services, we provided not only computer training but also guidelines and practice sessions in interviewing and resume completion. We addressed their psychological as well as their technological needs. We even played music and sang songs that were fun and inspiring. One of them was “I Believe I can Fly, another was “Ain’t No Stoppin’ us now, We’re on the Move” by Luther Vandross (high-spirited and rousing). In a class of all women, we sang “I’m Beautiful, Damn it” by Bette Midler, and strutted around the room. I encouraged them to wiggle and to jiggle. In fact, I wiggled and jiggled with them. Anything to restore confidence in the workers of tomorrow. And don’t just take my word for it. Click here or click the links in the frame to the right to get their accounts of what happened. We worked with employment agencies and individual employers to perform customized training to meet their needs. After training in the latest Microsoft software and the Internet, students were eligible for hire. No fee was required of the employer. There are many success stories to tell about our graduates, who have gone on to fill such positions as the ones listed below: Executive Administrative Assistant Office Administrator Operations Administration Manager Project Manager Appraiser Senior Buyer Sales Administrator Quality Control Manager Customer Service Representative Cost Accountant Job Developer Marketing Representative Collection Manager Traffic Manager Warehouse Manager Sales Manager PDA Assistant Legal/Credit Retriever Data Entry Clerk Receptionist Bookkeeper Counselor
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