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Students helped in landing office jobs By Stewart Sutherland There are many people in the Twin Cities who are looking for office jobs in both industry and business. They come from all walks of life. dif- ferent age groups. both sexes and with a varying degree of skill The program. under the direction of Wally Teichroeb. business education director at Kit- chener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School. consists of two semesters, The first is spent entirely in the classroom while the second gets students out into the workforce on a part- time basis for some hands-on work experience. “The business community is constantly looking for employees who have saleable job entry skills.” Teichroeb said. “Although we seem to be in a time of unemployment. there are jobs waiting for workers who are skilled in typing. filing. re- cording and other clerical skills, .. The program. which is funded by the ministry of education. was introduced last September at the high school. Students can use the program as a refresher course, to learn new skills if they are thinking of switching careers or as credits for ob- taining a grade 12 diploma, Teichroeb said classes consist of 30 students who range in age 21 to 50 and are attended mostly by women, "Most of the office Jobs that are available ap- peal more to women than men unless it's some- thing in the accounting or retail sales area." he said. "Many women quit their jobs to raise fami- lies and now that their children are grown, they want to re-enter the workforce but either have let their skills lapse or lack the necessary skills em- ployers are looking for." They usually spend time preparing a covering letter and resume and then set off to knock on as many doors as possible during their search for employment. But what they are hearing more and more these days from prospective employers IS ‘I'd like to hire you T but you have no skills . The Waterloo County Board of Education. m conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Educa- lion. has set up an adult co-op education program in order to teach them the necessary skills Marilyn Higginson. business education teacher at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate Md Vocational School, helps Helen Penlold with her typing lesson while.Judy Shoemaker works on her own during one of the adult co-op education classes. The program teaches students the skills needed to land an office job with local business and in- dustrv. AT KCI Teichroeb says the program also covers what he calls "life skills for the world of work" because. he says, "employers may be happy with an em- ployee"s skills. but they may be weak In such areas as punctuality. relating with their co- workers or organizing their time while on the job .. -Weie built up good relations w1th employers In the community which will help us when It comes time to place our students In office Jobs next January," Teichroeb said "We're just start- ing to see some returns from the survey and the next task will involve assessing the needs of basin- essmen and seeing If our students will fit into their plans." Those interested in applying for the adult co-op education program should call the school at 745- 6851. extension 45 for further information. The organizers of the program and the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce sent out 900 business edu- vatton surveys to local hummus and industry along With it brochure outlining the program to assess the needs of the business community and to inform them of the program. By mid-January the students will be available during the afternoon to work In local offices for a cost no businessman can refuse. Teichroeb said. "Their rate of pay will be a flat $3 per hour with no benefits and no holiday pay, They will be se- lected by the employer through competitive inter- views because let's face it. they are going to have to fight for jobs in the real world.” Teichroeb said. Organizers say employers can benefit by the plan because they can use the students during their co-op training period to train them in their methods before they are hired. keep overtime costs down by using the students during regular business hours, catch up on work that is overload- ing the company's regular employees and check the students for employment suitability, Subjects covered by the adult co-op education program include accounting. business English. typing and office procedures, business machines. computer programming and others. THINK ABOUT IT.d CHRISTMAS MONTH SUPER COURSE S SAVE Up to 41 % on Car Insurance " SAVE By Deducting Course Fee COURSE FEE IS $169.00 (emulate) I.ESS - 10% $152.10 IS All YOU PAY Call To Enroll Now 745-4901 or 744-7238 from Income Tax 355 SAVE Another 10% OFF Course Fee During Christmas Month Course Only. Course Starts Tuesday, December 9th, 7 :00 P.M. 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