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Show h I Robin Robinson received training " 1 T " I " Turning Point offers clients job skills By DON ETA GATHERUM Staff Writer KAYSVILLE Imagine after spending 30 years at home raising a family of seven children, the difficulty a person would have in gaining the training and confidence necessary to enter the work force again. This is what happens to many men and especially women each year. The smart untrained job seeker enrolls at DATC (Davis Area Technical College). Robin Robinson had worked in businesses that required heavy lifting. lif-ting. After spending 30 years raising rais-ing her family of seven, it was necessary for her to go job hunting. Health problems that required surgery prevented Robinson for getting get-ting a job that required lifting or heavy work. Fortunately, she had kept up on the typing skills she learned in high school. 'I soon discovered these skills were not enough. 1 had to gain better training if I were ever to find an adequate job," Robinson said. For the past two year, Robinson has been attending classes at DATC. She is now well-trained in several computer programs and a ten-key office machine. Now comes the next step-finding a job. This is when the Turning Point program becomes very helpful. Turning Point, offered through student stu-dent services to all DATC students, is a collection of classes, tests and special services designed to help students succeed while they are attending at-tending school and find good jobs when their schooling is completed. Robinson says she wouldn't have developed new skills and self- L confidence without the help she received through the Turning Point programs. ' fi "The best place to start in the Turning Point prorarn it with the aptitude test, .Robinson claims. '"Hi is is frightening ami disappointing disappoin-ting when ydu discover there are some things you don't do well. It is also very helpful because it tells you what you can da ' Based on the aptitude tests and student desire and interest, a class schedule is deireJoped for the student stu-dent At DATC enrollment is always open. Students progress at their individual learning level. While attending school, Robinson Robin-son participated in many Turning Point classes. Each class lasts between be-tween nine and 12 weeks. Sessions are held daily for an hour and a half. Enrollment is usually small with fewer than ten in class. "Through these classes, you team self-help ' skills, relaxation techniques;, stress reduction methods and how to develop self-confidence self-confidence and self-esteem," she Another Turning Point service Robinson found useful was an overview of job opportunities, wages, benefits and requirements. This served as an introduction to the job-seeking classes that followed. Finally, Turning Point stocks a clothes closet that is filled with high-quality article of clothing that are donated by local businesses and individuals. 1 "The clothes are beautiful. Many displaced homemakers don't have clothing that is appropriate for job interviews. A person can select an outfit that can be used when they go job hunting. This really ran make Robin Robinson works part-time at Davis Area Technical College and spends time looking for a full-time job to use her skills learned through the Turning Point program. the difference between success and failure," Robinson explains. Today, she works part-time at the DATC and spends time looking for a full-time job. She is confident that she will find a new career soon, thanks to the training she has received at DATC and the special help that has come from Turning Point. She was recently named JTPA ' Trainee of the Year by the Private Industry Council. Proceeds from the second annual Human Race, scheduled for May 4, at the DATC will go to support the Turning Point program for single parentsdisplaced homemakers. This is a 5K fun run, a 1-mile walk, a one-half mile run for youth under 16 and a 100-yard dash for kids under 7. Registration is $8 for entries received before April 30 or $12 for late registration. The day of the race, registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the DATC. The 100-yard dash begins at 8:30 a.m., the one-half one-half mile run at 8:45 a.m. and the 5K run and 1-mile walk at 9:30 a.m. Families (limit of 5) can register for $35 pre-registration or $50 the day of the race. Handicapped and senior citizens will be charged only $5 for pre-registration of $9 the day of the race. Entry forms can be picked up at the DATC or DeBoer's Running Store in Bountiful. Fanny packs, refreshments and a drawing for prizes are included in the price of registration. For more information call the DATC Turning Point at 546- 4134. |
