Aguilar Visits Local Employment Center

Last week Rep. Pete Aguilar toured the Center for Employment Training (CET) facility in Colton where he met with students, instructors and administrators. Aguilar, an advocate for expanding job training opportunities in the Inland Empire, toured the campus, visiting the Automotive Program, Welding Fabrication, Green Building Construction Skills (Solar) and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) programs. The center also offers vocational and skills training for students studying CNC/Machinist Technology and Truck Driving. CET is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fighting poverty and dependence on public aid by making quality skill training available to adults of all educational levels and backgrounds, especially those most in need and hardest to serve. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to tour the Center for Employment Training facility and to see firsthand how these critical programs are preparing Inland Empire residents for the 21st century economy,” said Aguilar. He continued, “It’s so encouraging to see the devotion of the instructors and administrators in seeing their students succeed—we need more programs like this in San Bernardino County.” Campus Executive Director Eduardo Robles added, “We are grateful for the opportunity to share our campus with U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar and the people in his district. As a Non-Profit Vocational School, the services we offer prepare our graduates for highly skilled employment in their field of training. We are currently enrolling for all programs and welcome anyone interested in training, to please call 909-478-3818 to arrange a campus visit.” HVAC Technician and Green Technology student Veronica Sanchez shared her experience at the center. She said, “My aunt is my motivation, she pushes me to do better and that’s why I wanted to do this. I know this is kind of an industry for men, but now I see more women…women are vice presidents of companies and that makes me want to go and do more.” CET was founded in 1967 during a time of heightened political and socio-economic activism across the nation. A group of concerned citizens—including founders Father Anthony Soto and Russell Tershy—organized to establish a job-training center for the working poor and low-income residents of the barrio “Sal Si Puedes” in East San Jose, California. In its early years, CET’s target population was mainly migrant and seasonal farm workers, who were suffering with inhumane job conditions and low wages. The goal was to prepare these workers for stable, full-time, permanent jobs in industry. Over the past four decades, success with agricultural workers motivated the organization to expand its focus to include other disadvantaged populations across the nation, including: welfare recipients (CalWorks, TANF); high school dropouts/unemployed youth; unemployed seniors (55-62); displaced workers; disabled workers; refugees and immigrants; minority single female heads of household; homeless; ex-offenders and parolees; and veterans. Over time, CET gained a national reputation for exceptional outcomes. In comparison to other training programs, CET showed higher job placement rates, higher earnings gains, and higher retention rates. In recognition of this documented success, in 1990, the first President George Bush awarded CET funds to replicate its model in other states. The organization currently has 17 centers in five states, with affiliate programs in four more states. CET’s unique and human model has also succeeded in other countries. International CET centers have been opened in Belize and Chile. Regarding the organization's history, Jose Jiminez, who played a significant role in the history of CET, expresses on the website, "In a cooperative family-like atmosphere in early 1967, Anthony Soto, Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, asked Ramona Srinana to lead a group in prayer. The group was meeting to plan the creation of a program… They spoke of self-help, self-determination, and the phrase ‘Si Se Puede’ (It can be done)." The organization shares it's philosophy saying, "CET believes in the dignity of the individual and that each individual has a right to a job that will pay enough to fulfill basic human needs. CET's program is designed to help people overcome their barriers by integrating workplace and life skill development. Each student is viewed as an individual with unique aspirations, abilities and needs." This is evident event today as the group defines their core values as respect, excellence, having an open door policy, commitment and dedication, integrity, accountability, courage, and trust. Expanding job opportunities in the Inland Empire has been Rep. Aguilar’s top priority since taking office last year. Weeks after being sworn-in, he convened regional jobs roundtables, embarked on a jobs tour across the region, released a jobs plan, and last session he introduced three bills to help put residents back to work. His first bill, the On-the-Job Training Tax Credit Act of 2015 would incentivize employers to train and hire more job seekers throughout San Bernardino County.