"Airport University gave me the confidence to apply for a new job within my company."

Kathryn Scott has worked at the Sea-Tac Airport since 2008 as a Customer Service Agent for a major airline.  After seeing an Airport University flyer, Kathryn signed up for a Keyboarding and Microsoft Outlook class in summer 2012.  A few weeks into the quarter, Kathryn was inspired to continue taking classes to earn a Business Technology (BTECH) certificate and eventually complete her AA degree.  She has built her computer and Microsoft Office skills, completing a total of six Airport University classes.  Kathryn’s success at Airport University emboldened her to apply for a Flight Attendant position within the airline.  And she was hired! 

Kathryn is currently attending flight attendant training in Atlanta, Georgia and will be based in New York. She says, “The commitment I made at Airport University may seem so small, but it wasn’t. It gave me the confidence to apply for a new job within my company.  The homework and the tasks that I needed to complete at Airport University [including creating and presenting a PowerPoint presentation on customer service] helped prepare me for the interview process. With over 50,000 applicants, I was truly shocked when I was selected to attend Flight Attendant training!  Many people have told me they are proud of me and inspired by me.  Mary, Simon, and Denise [Port Jobs’ Airport University staff] and Susan [Highline Community College instructor] have made such a difference in my life!”

Highline Community College recognizes Port Jobs as an outstanding community partner.

The college honored the agency for its work with two programs —Airport Jobs and Airport University — that help Sea-Tac International Airport employees gain post-secondary skills and credentials at their workplace.

Earlier this year first Airport University students (shown in photo) received Highline Community College’s certificate in business technology and business. Each student earned 15 transferable college credits by attending classes on site at the airport through Airport University.

Highline’s dean for professional-technical education, Alice Madsen, noted that the college and Port Jobs have collaborated closely over recent years to improve educational access for employees at Sea-Tac.

 “Our work with Port Jobs has been a real partnership and a privilege as together we are supporting airport employees entering their career and educational pathways,” Madsen said at the event.

 “This program provides airport employees the opportunity to build their skills, become more valuable employees and enhance their careers. Many of these students are holding down multiple jobs, so offering courses at Sea-Tac airport is an invaluable partnership,” said Heather Worthley, Port Jobs Executive Director.

Highline’s president, Dr. Jack Bermingham, made the announcement at the college’s semi-annual Community Networking Breakfast in November. 

If you already have a job and a place to live, you probably haven’t considered the obstacles that homeless people face when job-seeking. Clean clothes, a decent meal, safe shelter, and adequate rest are critical to making good first impressions. Homeless and discouraged after months of searching for a job, Abdurahman Salim was on the verge of giving up when he went into Airport Jobs, the Sea-Tac offices of Port Jobs.

His luck was about to change. Lisa Croslin, Airport Jobs Customer Service Representative, spotted Salim and listened to his story about Utah foster care, his journey to Seattle, moving from shelter to shelter, and struggling to find work. Lisa and the Airport Jobs team gave Salim the boost he needed to get on track to finding a job. They helped Salim find shelter, hygiene facilities and presentable clothing. They enrolled him in BFET (the Basic Food Employment and Training program). BFET offers job search support, education and skills training, and basic support services to eligible Washington State Basic Food recipients. Salim received bus tickets to help him reach potential jobs, and assistance to complete dozens of job applications.

Six years ago, Salim may not have received so much support. BFET was just getting underway and Port Jobs was one of 5 original community-based organizations ramping up to offer the innovative Washington DSHS pilot program. A key component of BFET has been tuition funding at 19 participating community and technical colleges. Eight additional colleges are expected to participate in FY2013. Other pilot program agencies continuing to offer BFET services include the Seattle Jobs Initiative, Washington Cares, Fare Start, and the YWCA.

‘You’re hired!' After much diligence and persistence, Salim was hired by Flight Services and Systems as a Passenger Service Agent. Airport Jobs staff continued to provide crucial support to ensure he kept this hard-earned opportunity. They helped him prepare for his airport security badge test (SIDA) and enrolled him in Airport University’s SuperHost® Fundamentals class. SuperHost is an industry recognized customer service training credential that earns students transferable college credit.

In addition to working at Sea-Tac, Salim hopes to continue his education at the University of Washington to major in Engineering. His immediate goal is to find permanent, low-income housing near his mosque in Rainier Beach.

Salim is grateful for the caring community of support that greeted him when he walked in the door at Airport Jobs. “The bus tickets made it possible for me to go to Airport Jobs many times and eventually find a job. And I know I can use the real-life customer service skills I learned in SuperHost at any job. Thanks to Lisa, Mergitu and the rest of the people at Airport Jobs who helped me, I’m finally on my way!”

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.”

A new year and a new contract with the Port of Seattle, brings new energy to ANEW – Port Jobs' primary partner in the Apprenticeship Opportunities Project.  In 2011 we will be working with ANEW to increase apprenticeship opportunities, particularly for White Center/Boulevard Park and South Park residents as the South Park Bridge construction gets underway.

This year we will also see a focus on the Transportation and Logistics and Manufacturing sectors as we continue to develop pathways in workforce development that address community needs in the Port-related economy.

The Port Jobs/ANEW partnership includes work with many organizations including

• White Center Community Development Association,
• King County,
• City of Seattle,
• SVI,
• Port of Seattle's Office for Social Responsibility, and
• Seattle-King County Building Trades Council.

Since 1994, ANEW has operated the Apprenticeship Opportunities Project (AOP) with funding from the Port Jobs. AOP helps Washington state residents who are unemployed or under-employed and seeking work in livable wage jobs or apprenticeships in these ways:

• One-to-one, personalized assistance on resumes, job and apprenticeship applications, and interviewing skills (by appointment Monday - Friday)
• Weekly workshops featuring construction trades topics relevant to today's economy and competitive workforce
• Links to livable wage construction job postings and current apprenticeship openings
• Direct connections to employers looking for qualified applicants

To qualify to participate in AOP you must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of Seattle or King County.  To apply for AOP either complete a pre-screening form here or call (206) 381-1384 to schedule an appointment.

“Port Jobs performs a critical function for our community in terms of connecting community members with skills and the possibility to get good paying port jobs,” Commissioner John Creighton.

Last week Port Jobs received a major vote of approval from Port of Seattle Commission.  The Commission voted to extend Port Job’s contract for an additional three years. This vote of confidence means that the Commissioners determined funding for Port Jobs is within the core mission of the Port.  Rob Holland, Port of Seattle Commissioner said, “this has very much been a social justice concern of the commission and the port itself.”

During deliberation Gael Tarleton praised Port Jobs’ success, “Jobs are being created and people’s jobs are being saved. I can’t possibly imagine the extraordinary turmoil that will happen if we were to change the current situation.”  Tarleton shared how she had recently attended a Port Job’s community meeting with truck drivers and had a chance to observe how a broad array of services we pulled together to help them through an extraordinarily difficult economic time. She noted that Port Jobs is successful because multiple public agencies – including the State of Washington, City of Seattle and King County –  provide funds to Port Jobs address the work force needs and development priorities of their organizations.

Port Jobs served more than 10,000 King County residents in 2009.

Heather Worthley
Port Jobs Executive Director

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