New job-training program to target non-college-bound grads
by CAROLYN RUSHEFSKY, ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
A pilot program to be launched in January promises to provide jobs for
non-college-bound Staten Island graduates, while providing a pool of
qualified workers for local businesses.
Called the Job Training Institute, the program was proposed by the Staten
Island Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC) Business Council, a consortium
of some 20 local businesses that are interested in hiring qualified
students. David Owen of Owen Consulting, Brooklyn, has been retained to
help with the project.
"Plans are to recruit up to 50 students for the yearlong job-training
program," said Vincent Lenza of the SIEDC, coordinator of the project.
"Many students who are not going to college can succeed if they are
properly trained," noted Henry A. Salmon, president of Equity Valuation
Associates, Castleton Corners, a real estate appraiser and member of the
Business Council.
Salmon was among a dozen business people attending an announcement
ceremony yesterday at Northfield Savings Bank's headquarters in Castleton
Corners.
Northfield Savings Bank has provided $15,000 in support of the SIEDC's
project to complete the curriculum and workplan for the Job Training
Institute, Lenza noted.
"Jobs are available for non-college-bound students with potential, and
schools have a great need (to provide jobs for their students)," said
Deputy Borough President Dan Donovan.
But many students lack basic knowledge regarding the need for punctuality,
telephone etiquette and dress codes, he said.
Ram K. Cherukuri, head of New York Fragrance Inc., a perfume company based
in Port Richmond, said his company is expanding and expects to add 25
people to his current staff of 18.
And Stephen Ferdinando of Richmond Plumbing and Heating, West Brighton,
plans to provide one or two positions for students who have promise. "We
would offer business training (leading to an eventual executive position)
for the right candidate," he said.
This is great news to John Widlund, assistant principal at McKee High
School, who said he has long been trying to make students "realize that
appearance counts, that baseball hats don't belong in interviews. ...We've
been conducting mock interviews" so that students can be prepared to make
a good impression.
Other school personnel involved in the Job Training Institute project
include Leah Tager, guidance counselor at the St. George School on St.
Marks Place, and Rosemarie Mackeneck, borough transition coordinator and
job planning work supervisor for District 75, which includes Staten
Island.
Business owners are willing to provide on-the-job training such as
hands-on techniques for plumbers or banking procedures for tellers.
However, basic skills for the Job Training Institute must include "how to
deal with others," noted Business Council member Donna Martucci, head of
WWC Corp., contractors and investment builders, Travis.
Bob Bentson of the Allen C. Bentson Agency, a Port Richmond insurance
agency, suggested teaching students "listening and understanding skills."
John Alexander, chairman and CEO of Northfield Savings Bank, suggested
anger management as a primary tool in successfully dealing with the
public, particularly in the area of customer service. Northfield's policy
is to hire qualified people for the long term, training tellers for
executive positions.
"We want people who know how to be friendly -- to get people to come back," Alexander said.
