One college is helping students prepare for a local company’s pre-employment test.
Fresno City College recently began offering a course that prepares students for Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s pre-employment test. Those who pass the test, aimed at hiring workers for maintenance and construction jobs, have the opportunity to secure California jobs with starting salaries of $70,000 per year.
To help with the cost of the course, PG&E gave the college $30,000 to help start a vocational education program. Around 30 percent of applicants often fail the company’s test, which requires math and reading skills. The college also will receive $60,000 from a state grant to help veterans return to work.
According to an article by The Fresno Bee, more than 1,700 students overall have applied for the course, while only 60 have been admitted. In the spring of 2008, more than 1,400 students applied for the 26 course openings and more than 300 students applied for the 28 course openings that begin this January, which is meant for veterans only.
“This course is trying to open doors for people who haven’t had the opportunity to get employed by PG&E by just walking in off the street,” Shelly Conner, director of grants at State Center Community College District, which runs City College, said in the article.
Students interested in taking the course are required to be screened according to math and reading skills, previous work experience and other various factors. The 12-unit course costs $240, but some students may qualify for financial aid.
Students accepted into the course will find themselves completing assignments related to the jobs they might do with the company, such as maintain and repair electrical and natural gas lines, build and maintain substations and work system control panels. Students also are required to complete math problems, including calculating percentages, working with decimals and fractions and other arithmetic and reading, such as learning technical terms and comprehending directions.
The course is staffed by college instructors who teach math, reading, basic electricity and physical conditioning and retired PG&E employees who teach safety, excavation, environmental hazards and other technical topics.
PG&E has offered money to other community colleges in the area under a program it calls PowerPathway. The company hopes the program will help create a pool of qualified applicants for future open positions. PG&E expects nearly half of its 12,000 workers to be eligible for retirement during the next five years.
pg&e nearest pre employment test help college in lodi ca 95240 thank you,
Thats awsome people are opening there doors to people to help educate, and motivate them to better themselves.
hey that will be great, if you are close to lodi.
Hmmmm, that was a great thing. Giving people a chance to learn and to have confidence.