Articles in this newsletter:
JJC Partners and The Alliance Deliver Quality Training that Benefits Everyone
In 1985, all the Bell telephone networks throughout the U.S. became the AT&T Corporation. People who worked for the Baby Bells such the Illinois and Wisconsin Bell companies had to find a way to make a smooth transition to the larger and more structured environment of AT&T.
To help them with that transition, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) formed a non-profit training organization called The Alliance. From the beginning, it has provided training programs designed to help people transition to a larger corporation which includes the Naperville-based Alcatel-Lucent company. Over the years, The Alliance has subcontracted with training providers to deliver many hands-on trade-related seminars to these workers.
"We contacted Joliet Junior College (JJC) because someone in The Alliance suggested them," said Dave Belanger, an associate director for The Alliance. "We did a pilot class with them. The reviews were excellent and we continued working with JJC ever since."
That relationship began in March 2006 with a request for technical training. "The Alliance approached College of DuPage (COD) first," said Amy Murphy, director of Corporate and Community Services (CCS) for JJC. "COD's MaryLou Emani referred The Alliance to us because of our expertise in certain areas. It has been a great working relationship ever since."
Some of the classes JJC delivered to The Alliance members include:
- Basic Electrical Circuits
- National Electric Code
- Microsoft Excel
- High Voltage Electrical Training
- Facility Management of Electrical Systems
- Customer Service
- How to Take Online Classes
- Defensive Driving
- National Electric Code Review
- Furniture Repair
- Using Electrical Test Equipment
- Troubleshooting Refrigeration Units
"We were so satisfied that we turned to Amy Murphy for all our training needs," said Belanger. One of those classes will include the study of thermography where people will learn how to track heat loss in homes and other building.
Success Story
Although The Alliance training programs benefit employees, many of their programs help the employer as well. For example, one student in a recent refrigeration class learned enough to develop a suggestion that saved his employer, Alcatel-Lucent, a great deal of money.
"I always tell people the real secret to our success is Amy Murphy. She is the one who has that 'can do' attitude," said Belanger.
Murphy believes the quality of training is directly related to the JJC instructors. "Our instructors are not only experienced teachers; they are highly-qualified Subject Matter Experts (SME) who bring decades of real-world experience to their programs."
One of those instructors is Glen Mazur who recently taught a multi-meter class for The Alliance. "It is important," said Mazur, "that operators understand what meter to use, when and how to use it, and exactly what the measured values mean for the operator's safety, the safety of others, and in keeping the circuit and equipment performing as designed."
"His views express how all JJC instructors approach teaching," said Murphy. "They teach what they know in a context that takes in safety, productivity, and skill."
A Management/Union Partnership
Much of the training is done at the Alcatel-Lucent headquarters in Naperville, Illinois. It is really a partnership between The Alliance and management. "Alcatel-Lucent is committed to this training program," said Murphy. "They have established the ALU University at their Naperville location and people come from all over the U.S. to study there."
Additionally, The Alliance meets every quarter to determine what classes to recommend to management. The programs they come up with go to senior management for approval. "This level of cooperation has proven to be very successful for both The Alliance and Alcatel-Lucent," said Murphy. "It is also good for Joliet Junior College. We love working with them."
For more information about this partnership or other programs offered by Joliet Junior College, call Amy Murphy at (815) 280-1418, or e-mail amurphy@jjc.edu.
JJC Delivers Workplace Spanish to Hospital in Morris
A language barrier is a problem for everyone. Think of how frustrating it can be if a retail person doesn't understand a customer's request or a bank clerk can't explain compound interest to a borrower. While those problems are bad enough, they are even more serious in a hospital where a person's life may depend on whether a healthcare worker understands what the patient means when she is pointing to her stomach.
One hospital understands the problem and took action to fix it. At the beginning of the summer, Morris Hospital contacted Joliet Junior College (JJC) to deliver two separate sessions of the "Spanish for Healthcare Workers" program to their employees. "As the title states, it is a class geared for people who work in the medical field," said instructor Rosana Vazquez-Alcaraz. "It is especially designed for those individuals who have constant contact with Spanish speakers who cannot communicate in English."
"I was glad to hear the class was going to be offered," said John Hand, one of Morris Hospital's healthcare workers. "We are getting more and more Spanish-speaking people in our community and it is very frustrating not to be able to give them 100 percent when you can't understand their language."
The ten week course focuses on the most important everyday phrases healthcare workers use during the work day. "It is not a general introduction to the Spanish language," said Vazquez-Alcaraz, "but, rather, a quick immersion into the language and culture. Students will learn to say the most important phrases and vocabulary for their job so they can convey work-related information."
For that reason, there are no unnecessary vocabulary or grammar lessons. Students focus on what they need to know and on a basic understanding of the culture of Spanish speakers.
"The class structure was not overwhelming," said Hand. "It focused on short easy sentences - just so you can get your point across and understand what they are trying to tell you."
"The Spanish for Healthcare Workers program is really a mixture of vocabulary, phrases, culture, and oral practice," said Amy Murphy, director of Corporate and Community Services for JJC. "It does a good job of teaching the key words and phrases a healthcare worker must know in order to work effectively with Spanish speaking patients."
Reaction to the program confirms the effectiveness of this approach. One student, Darlene Strnad, said, "I actually used what I learned in class at work. I was able to confirm appointments for the next day to Spanish-only households. I would not have been able to do that before taking this class."
"It is a great class to teach because everyone who takes it believes they can benefit from learning the material" said Vazquez-Alcaraz.
Morris Hospital healthcare worker, Cheryl Huff, agrees. "I have never taken Spanish when I was in school," she said. "I felt this course opened up the Spanish language to me. Although, I cannot speak it fluently, I can pick up bits and pieces of a conversation now."
To learn more about workplace Spanish programs at Joliet Junior College, call Amy Murphy at (815) 280-1418, or e-mail amurphy@jjc.edu.
Lemont Manufacturer Recognized for Outstanding Quality
This year was different. This year companies had a choice. They could either take the usual refresher training for ISO certification or prepare for the new 9001:2008 version. The Oxbow Midwest Calcining company chose the more challenging ISO 2008 version.
Matt Mirro is the ISO and Shift Supervisor for Oxbow Midwest Calcining, LLC. It is his job to keep the Oxbow company certified and performing at its best. He called Joliet Junior College (JJC) to handle the training. "They have very pleasant knowledgeable instructors, flexible schedules, and an excellent administrative staff that helps drive us towards our training goals," said Mirro. "We have been using JJC as one of our main training resources since 2006."
Training small groups of about 10 employees at a time, Oxbow was able to train 69 employees for the June 2010 deadline. The instructor, Randy Hulina began the training in January and trained the entire facility. "Randy is well versed in the new version of the standard," said Mirro, "and can teach it in a way to keep everyone in the course engaged in the training."
JJC has a long history of training companies for ISO certification. Other companies include Five Star Manufacturing, Hoffman Transportation, and ITW. "Both large and small organizations come to Joliet Junior College for ISO training because our reputation is great," said Amy Murphy, director of Corporate and Community Services for JJC. "Instructors such as Randy Hulina have done an excellent job preparing businesses to meet ISO requirements."
Rich Shelhamer is the national sales manager for Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. In a letter to Mirro dated March 4, 2010, he wrote about the outstanding performance Mirro and Oxbow Midwest Calcining have achieved since they were awarded the 9001:2000 certification. Shelhamer’s letter announced the presentation of special recognition for excellent work.
"It is with great pleasure," writes Shelhamer, "that Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. present Oxbow Midwest Calcining, LLC with this Recognition Award for ISO 9001:2000 certification. Your Quality Management System is outstanding. In your auditors region, both nationally and internationally, has made it into the top three to be recognized for this award."
Additionally, Shelhamer recognized the efforts of Mirro for his "dedication to the Quality Management System at Oxbow Midwest Calcining, LLC." He credited Mirro's management of the ISO program for achieving significant changes in the company's performance which became obvious during the recertification and surveillance audits for the 9001:2008 certification process.
"Besides being an excellent quality and ISO manager, he is also an excellent teacher for Joliet Junior College," said Murphy. He teaches in our petrochemical operator program.
For more information about ISO training or other quality programs at Joliet Junior College, call Amy Murphy at (815) 280-1418. You can also e-mail amurphy@jjc.edu.