Mandatory orientations slated for February 14 and 15
Santa Ana, Calif. – In an effort to combat the skilled labor shortage, Santa Ana College’s School of Continuing Education in collaboration with the Orange County Development Board, Santa Ana Work Center, OC One-Stop Center, County of Orange, American Federation of Labor and Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, is offering a Pre-Apprenticeship Program to prepare individuals for entry-level apprenticeship positions with local trade unions.
The free program, offered to individuals over 18 years of age with a high school diploma, authorization to work within the United States and valid driver’s license, will provide students with the skills needed for careers in cabinet making; green technologies; plumbing; cement masonry; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), surveying and weatherization.
Students will receive a Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) that includes 140 hours of training, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 Certification, and CPR and first aid training that will help them obtain positions within the construction field.
“It’s one of the few training programs that almost guarantees an entry level position that leads into a high paying job,” said Nilo Lipiz, Dean of Santa Ana College’s School of Continuing Education. “If you do well in the class you will most likely be entered into the paid internship programs. There’s a high demand for these positions.”
With a starting salary of around $40,000 per year, or $19.26 an hour, individuals who complete the program and receive a paid internship will enter into a job with union job stability and plenty of career growth opportunities.
“The entry level pay is high,” said Lipiz. “You can make a very good living out of this without a college degree and you’re going to go into an apprenticeship program and get paid. It’s a big incentive.”
Classes for the nine-week program will begin the week of February 26 at the Remington Adult Education Center, 1325 E. 4th Street in Santa Ana. Eligibility determination and class registration is available at one of two mandatory informational meetings, February 14 at 10 a.m. at OC One Stop Center, 7077 Orangewood Ave., Ste. 200 in Garden Grove or February 15 at 6 p.m. at the Remington Adult Education Center, Room A-102.
About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
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