Public Employee Press

Computer classes boost clerical careers

Clerical-Administrative Local 1549 is helping members upgrade their computer skills with classes in the local’s new computer training facility.

“Our goal is to provide education that really makes a difference in members’ lives,” said Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez. To this end, the course goes beyond what the city requires. It trains workers in the “preferred skills” sought by agencies and puts members on the path to official Microsoft certification.

“We are training members so they can be upgraded within their title series,” said Instructor Jon Ng. The Microsoft Office Specialist training consists of Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook. The MOS course includes 40 hours of intensive training so students can use all five programs at once and move from one to the other. The local offers three MOS levels.

As a certified Microsoft master instructor, Mr. Ng is able to offer the training and certificates of completion for students who successfully fulfill the requirements.

The constantly evolving curriculum is geared to real workplace examples, he explained. “The Police Department has a ‘49’ — a memorandum that members have to generate. We teach them how. This way, they can bring what they learn back to their workplaces.”

On Sept. 5, 12 people completed the MOS I training and received certificates. “They were very happy — they got something tangible. This is a real benefit. The local’s new computer center and the course are an investment in our members’ future,” said Mr. Rodriguez. The center is a certified Microsoft testing facility.

Theresa Thomas, a Crime Analyst in the NYPD’s 5th Precinct, appreciates the opportunity. She enrolled in the second round of classes, which started in August and concluded in September. “Everything in the NYPD is being computerized —complaint reports, arrest processing, everything,” she said. “The union is helping me to help myself. It’s up to me to make the most of the opportunity. If I had to do it on my own, find a place to take the classes and pay for them, it would be much more difficult.”

The courses are free to members, who pay a minimal $85 for the five manuals. Local 1549 bears the other costs, saving members over $800. If they take all three levels, they save more than $2,300.

For Local 1549 member Cheryl Gannaway, this makes all the difference. As a Clerical Associate III, Ms. Gannaway worked for Children’s Services for 17 years, until she was laid off June 25.

“I wanted to get some computer skills that I can add to my resume. It will help me look for a job,” she said. “It’s wonderful that the union has free classes to help members get the computer skills that are really needed at this time.”