Job-Earning Trades Taught in Free Classes

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Finding a good paying job is not easy in the tough economy, but a free service that helps people find jobs or improve their position in the workforce.

Kenneth Johnson's out of work and is taking advantage of the free training.

"I've had a few jobs and they weren't anything where your family could really love off of," Johnson said. "With this program, they send you out and the job is not paying no less than $12, $14 an hour."

Dakota Grose is a night manager at a fast food restaurant and is striving for a better job.

"I think it's fun. It's hard, it's tough work, but it's good," Grose said. "It's a good learning experience."

The Laborers Union provides 10 hour free classes for three weeks. Those interested must show up on time, and complete the classes. The union then helps find the students work.

"It's a real good feeling to give back something that you've learned you know pass it along," said Rick Anderson, the RTE program coordinator.

Representative Richard Morrissette's supporting the same trade that got him through college.

"It was a wonderful beginning to a career that started with hard work with my hands, working every day, blue collar jobs," Representative Morrissette (D-District 92) said. "My district in south Oklahoma City, that's who we are and I think that's what this state still is."

The program offers new beginning everyone, one class at a time.

"I'm very proud of myself and my wife is too," Johnson said. "She's proud of me because I'm learning a trade so we can go farther...it's fantastic."

For those who successfully complete the training, the Union will find 80 percent of them a job within 30 days.

Learn more about the Laborer's Union by calling (405) 525-8877.