Port Jobs

Tuesday March 20^th was a special day for 28 year-old Mesfin Yeshewawerk, and not just because it was the first day of Spring in Seattle. Mesfin was celebrating his completion of the Airport University computer skills class he took with 19 other logistics and transportation employees who work at Sea-Tac International Airport.

Mesfin was born in Addis Ababa, located in the center of Shewa state of Ethiopia. He moved to Seattle seeking work in 2010, and soon found himself employed at Sea-Tac Airport. To make ends meet, he works two jobs: as an aircraft cabin cleaner and as a wheel chair attendant, giving arriving and departing passengers a cheerful lift around the busy airport.

Mesfin found that the classes offered by Airport University were easy to attend, because they were offered at his workplace and during convenient times.  Airport University, a program of Port Jobs, is a partnership with Highline Community College and South Seattle Community College, and is funded, in part, by the Port of Seattle.  Airport University’s classes are offered at no cost to income-eligible airport employees, and provide students with college credits as well as valuable workplace skills.

This isn’t the first time Mesfin has reached an educational milestone. He first graduated from college in 2006 from the Harer Kombolcha A.T.V.E.T College in Ethiopia where he studied animal sciences.  Mesfin’s Airport University instructor, Mary Turla, says Mesfin is a strong example of the type of highly motivated individuals who attend Airport University to acquire the skills they need to make a better life for themselves and their families.  Turla and Highline Community College instructor Susan Taylor were thrilled to see 20 students earn Business Information Technology credits this quarter.

“Mesfin is well on his way to reaching his goal of improving his computer and English language skills,” says Turla. “I am excited to see Mesfin walk in the Highline Community College’s commencement ceremony for their Business Information Technology certificates  in June.  He will end his Airport University coursework with 15 college credits under his belt – that represents a full quarter of transferable college credit!  There’s no doubt in my mind that our investment in him will produce an asset to his employer and a stronger economic future for his family.”

Mesfin is leaving his future career options open.  “I am learning computer skills for the future ...  I used to be scared of the computer. Before this class, the computer and I are strangers.  First class, we say hi to each other.  After next class, we are cousins.  Now, computer and I are brothers!” 

The next round of Airport University classes begins on April 3, 2012. Turla encourages Sea-Tac Airport employees to drop in during their lunch hour to find out more or call 206-787-7501 to sign up. Students may join classes as late as April 17. 

Port Jobs is pleased to announce the first Customized Customer Service Training with SuperHost®, an industry recognized credential and a transferable college credit!  

The training is currently being offered on-site at Sea-Tac Airport in November 2011 through a partnership with Highline Community College.  The class is open to jobseekers and incumbent workers who seek training for career advancement, and are considering applying for positions related to the new Rental Car Facility opening in March 2012 at Sea-Tac Airport.  

Recognized worldwide, SuperHost® Fundamentals is a customer service training program developed by Tourism BC to prepare hospitality and services worker for Expo 86. Over 800,000 hospitality and services employees in 20 countries have completed the customer service training.

“Our goal is to prepare the local hospitality and tourism to deliver 'WOW' customer service: Winning attitudes that Optimize Wonderful experiences," says Mary Turla, Airport University Coordinator at Port Jobs. 

“SuperHost certified employees gain a competitive edge for businesses whose success depends on repeat sales and referrals of satisfied customers,” adds Crystal Kitterman, Operations Manager at Highline Community College.  

The November training has been so popular that a second training at the Airport is being added for January 2012. For more information, contact Mary Turla at 206-787-7504 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The National Elevator Industry Educational Program brings Financial Tools for the Trades to its members nationwide.

Joe Devlin knows that construction can be tough.  As Assistant National Director of the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), Devlin oversees the training of 26,000 elevator constructors nationwide.  “Even in a strong economy, the risk of unemployment is a reality for people who work in construction,” he says.  Workers who can manage their personal finances are better able to weather the lean times, especially as the construction industry continues to see double-digit unemployment rates.

Financial education is not traditionally taught in craft training, but that’s now changing for the elevator industry.  NEIEP, which is affiliated with the International Union of Elevator Constructors, has become the first trade-specific educational program to incorporate Financial Tools for the Trades into its training curriculum nationwide.  This ensures that elevator constructors across the country build the financial skills they need to succeed.  

“In the elevator industry, we want our members to be ready for the possibility that they may be out of work at some point in their careers. We thought a course like Financial Tools for the Trades could help them prepare and give them some peace of mind,” says Devlin. 

Financial Tools for the Trades combines personal finance education – like creating spending plans and building good credit – with an industry- tailored focus. “We talk about the financial realities of working in construction,” says Stephanie Kellner from Port Jobs, who manages the program.  “And how people can enjoy the good pay and benefits while taking steps like building emergency savings, to protect their financial stability.”

Devlin says NEIEP decided to integrate financial education into its program because “most adults are never exposed to financial planning while in high school. We wanted to make our members aware of some of the pitfalls of poor money management. Of course, learning how to deal with credit cards is at the top of the list. My hope is that learning how to manage money will lead to greater things, like building wealth.”

Financial Tools for the Trades will be taught to industry members at more than 100 training centers across the country.  NEIEP and Port Jobs are also exploring the creation of an online Financial Tools course to be part of NEIEP’s distance learning program.  

“I've got a big family, and every month there is an emergency,” says John, an apprentice featured in a video about Financial Tools for the Trades.  “I’m really interested in having a spending plan and an emergency fund.  Having a Financial Tools class [as part of apprenticeship training] sends the right message that this is something that everybody should sit down and learn.”