SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JOB MARKET : A SPECIAL REPORT ON EMPLOYMENT TRENDS : FINDING A JOB : COLLEGES, TRADE SCHOOLS OFFER JOB-RELATED CLASSES

Anyone who wants to improve his or her work skills can take advantage of local resources. Southern California’s universities, colleges and trade schools offer a broad range of courses in continuing education that take into consideration the individual’s needs. Classes are scheduled during days, evenings, weekends and, in some cases, at the work site. Many educational institutions offer counseling for those who are muddled about career goals.

Computer classes continue to be popular; every school in this survey offers courses in the subject, ranging from basic to advanced training.

Another growing trend is accent-reduction classes. Foreign-born professionals and their employers apparently have recognized a need for standard spoken English. Taking that a step further, some of the classes incorporate American gestures and body language.

Employees acknowledge that an accent may impede their chance of promotion, while employers want to reduce their employees’ accents to improve customer relations. Some companies subsidize the school fee for their employees.

One major Southern California aerospace company requested that a university extend its accent-reduction courses to include the American-born with regional accents. Also, courses in American pronunciation are cropping up for those who intend to teach English as a second language.

The following list provides a sampling of what the schools have to offer in the way of job-training courses.

East Los Angeles Occupational Center is one of the five Regional Occupational Centers of the Los Angeles United School District. The center, which seeks to upgrade existing skills and retrain adults for career changes, offers classes including aircraft, auto and boat upholstery; auto body repair; business computer occupations, and machine shop, among others. Fees vary, and courses are free for some people. Call (213) 223-1283 for details. The center is at 2100 Marengo St., Los Angeles 90033.

Second Careers Program, a nonprofit project of the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles, concentrates on placing retired senior citizens desiring work in a full- or part-time capacity. Call (213) 380-3166 for more information. Second Careers is at 3923 West 6th St., Los Angeles 90020.

Trade and Technical Careers and Training, a handbook of accredited private trade and technical schools, includes a list of schools in California. The publication is free from the National Assn. of Trade and Technical Schools, 2251 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20007.

UCLA

Career Transition Program offers a series of classes to explore options and alternatives. A partial list follows:

Job Options for the 55+. Oct. 24-25. Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Individuals: $90. Couples: $150.

Careers in the ‘80s: Options in Travel. Oct 10, 9 a.m.-noon. Fee: $40.

Job Search Workshop. Thursdays, Nov. 5-19, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fee: $130. Call (213) 206-1955.

Career Counseling Center includes interviews, evaluation conferences, tests, post-testing career and educational counseling and a written summary. Fee: $585. Call (213) 825-2934.

Career Counseling Workshop has small group workshops, individual assessment and counseling interview. Fee: $295. Call (213) 825-2934.

Extension courses in the West San Fernando Valley have a free advisory service. Call (818) 992-0618.

For in-plant courses and seminars tailored to a company’s needs and conducted on site, call (213) 825-4801.

There are a number of programs leading to certificates, such as studies in gerontology, fitness instruction, business and management and health sciences. A free advisory service for extension students is helpful in starting out. Call (213) 206-6201.

There are over 40 programs leading to business and management certificates and professional designations. Call (213) 825-7031. Also, the Business Management Program for Technical Personnel is designed for engineers and other technical personnel in, or preparing to enter management positions. Company-nominated applicants should call (213) 206-1548.

Hospitality as Fantasy: Restaurant and Hotel Design Symposium. Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Beverly Hilton Hotel. Fee: $125.

Starting Your Own Restaurant. Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fee: $75. Call (213) 206-8120 about the catering certificate.

Courses for careers in fashion. Call (213) 825-9061. There will be a fashion design orientation on Thursday beginning at 12:15 p.m. at the Downtown Center, 1100 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

Motion Picture and Television Arts and Sciences allows participants to choose a course of study, define or further career goals. Call the Motion Picture/Television Program at (213) 825-9064.

Making the Career Change Into the Entertainment Industry: Mastering Personal Obstacles, Competition and Protocol. Dec. 5., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee: $100.

Professional Designation Program in Landscape Architecture offers a sequential curriculum for a professional career. Call (213) 825-9414 for program information and counseling.

Attorney Assistant Training Program. Call (213) 825-0741 to learn about a paralegal career.

Starting Your Own Business. Tuesdays, Sept. 22-Dec. 8, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fee: $150.

Doing Business With Japan. Tuesdays, Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fee: $170.

Real Estate/Construction. Call (213) 825-7031 for professional designation in building and construction management, certificate in real estate with specialization and professional designation in investment real estate.

Operating the Small Retail Business. For owners, managers and persons planning on opening a retail business. Mondays, Sept. 21-Nov. 23, 7-10 p.m. Fee: $170. Call (213) 825-7031 for the sequential program in retail management.

Tourism, Travel, Hospitality and Leisure: An Introduction to the Industry. For persons planning tour operations, including those operating their own business. Saturdays, Sept. 26-Dec. 12, 9 a.m.-noon. Fee: $175.

Third Annual Negotiating Entertainment Contracts-Selling Original Television Programs. Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Century Plaza Hotel, 2025 Avenue of the Stars. Fee: $165.

Sources for Funding Small Businesses. Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Century Plaza Hotel, 2025 Avenue of the Stars. Fee: $150.

Import/Export and Investment Opportunities with Australia and New Zealand. Nov. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Hyatt Wilshire Hotel, 3515 Wilshire Blvd. Fee: $150.

Starting Your Own Building and Development Company. Analysis of information needed to start your first residential real estate development project. Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Hyatt Wilshire Hotel, 3515 Wilshire Blvd. Fee: $135.

The Shopping Center Game, one-day seminar with a “Meet the Retailers Idea Exchange.” Dec. 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Los Angeles Marriott Hotel, 5855 W. Century Blvd. Fee: $95.

Technique of Starting a New Enterprise. Covers buying an existing business versus starting from scratch, franchising, funding, selecting advisers. Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Hyatt Wilshire Hotel, 3515 Wilshire Blvd. Fee: $95.

Technical Communication. A course for experienced technical communicators and for those entering the field. Call (213) 825-4192 for brochure on the sequential curriculum including technical editing, developing manuals for non-technical user, military documentation writing and other subjects.

Computers in the Classroom. Microcomputers in instruction, classroom management and course design for educators and administrators. Call (213) 825-4191 for the certificate program.

Engineering Short Courses. Engineering and technical professionals receive the latest information and developments in their field. Call (213) 825-1047.

Certificate Program in Toxic and Hazardous Materials Control and Management. Geared toward persons responsible for the safe containment, handling and disposal of hazardous materials. Call (213) 825-7093.

Building a Career in Public Relations. An overview including getting started, large versus small agencies, finding your niche. Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $60.

Executive Women. Group discussion and individual feedback. Saturdays, Oct. 24-31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $120.

Computer Science. Lotus 1-2-3: Taught in Spanish. Lectures on Wednesdays, Sept. 30-Dec. 9, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Labs on Saturdays, Oct. 24, Nov. 14, Dec. 5. Downtown Center, 1100 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. UCLA Extension, 10995 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. Fee: $145. Call (213) 825-8895 for brochure.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES

The Center for Career Planning, Placement and Continuing Education offers individualized career planning for adults. Fees vary per service.

Continuing education certificate programs: business computer programming, entrepreneurship, international business, legal assistant, legal interpretation and translation, library technician, retail professional development, program/systems cost estimating and analysis, pulmonary physiology and technology. A certificate program in microcomputers for business teachers is being planned.

The school also offers Peak Performance Seminars/Workshops to enhance productivity and professional development with computer workshops available as well.

On-site in-house training is available for a minimum of 10 workers with specifications tailored to a company.

English classes on-site in the workplace. Call (213) 224-2834.

Computerized Accounting. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nov. 3-Dec. 8, 6-8 p.m. Fee: $135.

How to Set Up Your Own Books and Accounting Records for the Small Business Entrepreneur. Saturdays, Oct. 10-31, 9:30-11:45 a.m. Fee: $95.

Administrative Medical Assistant (Front Office). Sundays, Oct. 11-18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee: $75.

Medical Insurance Billing. Course includes a look at the legal aspects of collections. Saturdays, Nov. 7-14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee: $75.

Continuing Education, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles 90032. (213) 224-3501.

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE

Bank Teller Training. Saturdays, Sept. 26-Oct. 31, 9-11:30 a.m. Fee: $32

How to Start a Successful Home-Based Business for Profit. Oct. 17, 1-4 p.m. Fee $20.

Starting Your Own Business. Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $28.

Police Orientation/Career Opportunities. Workshop covers law enforcement careers at local, state and federal levels. Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Also Nov. 16 and 17, 6-10 p.m. Fee: $15.

How to Operate a Family Day Care Business From Your Home. Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $25.

Some classes are conducted in Spanish. For example, Executive Secretary and Public Relations. Tuesdays, Sept. 29-Nov. 3, 6-8 p.m. Fee: $32.

East Los Angeles College, 1301 Brooklyn Ave., Monterey Park 91754. (213) 265-8604.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON

How to Get a Reporting Job in Radio/Television News. Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fee: $65.

Points on How to Start and Operate a Successful Advertising and Public Relations Agency. Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee: $75.

Obtaining Venture Capital for New Business. Oct. 22, 7-10 p.m. Fee: $65.

Entering the World of High-Tech Consulting. Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $85.

International Marketing: Business in the Asia/Pacific Rim Countries. Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $85.

How to Start and Maintain Your Own Part-Time or Full-Time Consulting Business. Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee: $95.

Certificate programs offered: gerontology, production and inventory practice, school business management, industrial distribution. Sequential programs include manufacturing engineering and technical writing.

A sequence of classes leading to a certificate can be designed for the particular needs of companies. Call (714) 773-2998.

Private in-house training programs. Companies interested in customized training may call (714) 773-2934.

Office of Extended Education, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton 92634. (714) 773-2611.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE

Accounting for Non-Accountants. Thursdays, Oct. 1-Nov. 12, 7-10 p.m. Fee: $75.

Successful Borrowing Strategies. Designed for operators of small businesses. Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $75.

How to Start a Successful Direct-Mail/Mail-Order Business. Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $95.

How to Start a Successful Restaurant Operation. Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $65.

How to Start and Operate a Bed and Breakfast Inn. Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $65.

Continuing Education has a Bureau of Business Services and Research that serves as a liaison between the business community and the university. The bureau offers courses selected specifically for the professional. In addition, it is equipped to provide in-house training.

California State University, Northridge, Office of Continuing Education, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge 91330. (818) 885-2644.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE

The Career Counseling and Testing Program charges $450 for a package of counseling and testing services. Call (714) 856-5414 for an appointment.

The Women’s Opportunities Center offers personal and resume consulting and group career explorations for an annual membership of $25. For individual counseling and career/aptitude testing: $35. Call (714) 856-7128.

A partial list of certificate programs: information technologies, hazardous materials management, landscape architecture, legal assistant, land use and development planning, light construction and development management, marketing communications, personnel management and employment relations. Call (714) 856-5414 regarding an open house to hear about the job market outlook and certificate programs.

Education and training packages can be held at the workplace. Management, Business and Executive Programs, (714) 856-6295. Engineering and Information Technology Programs, (714) 856-7978. English as a Second Language Program, (714) 856-5681.

Understanding the Uniform Building Code. Tuesdays, Oct. 6-Dec. 8, 7-10 p.m. Fee: $158.

Legal and Tax Aspects of the Horse Business. Designed for horse owners, breeders and managers of horse ranches. Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $115.

UC Irvine Extension, P.O. Box AZ, Irvine 92716. (714) 856-5414.

LOS ANGELES CITY COLLEGE Second Start gives free employment and training opportunities for Los Angeles city residents age 55 and older who can learn new job skills and receive assistance in job placement. There is on-the-job training as well. Some of the classes offered are: word processing and data-base systems, electronic spreadsheet systems and personal home care.

Los Angeles City College, 855 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles 90029. (213) 669-4393.

GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

In-house training is available for local businesses. Call (818) 243-3184.

Certificate Programs: camera-ready graphics and travel agent training.

Catering for Profit. Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Fee: $12.

Getting Started in Modeling and Commercials. Saturdays, Nov. 7-21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Fee: $32.

Breaking Into TV Commercials-Hands-On With the Experts. Nov. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $35.

Women in Management. Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $29.

Careers in the Transportation Industry. Tuesdays, Oct. 13-Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Fee: $30.

Twenty-Five Career Choices You Can Make Today. Explores career fields, obsolete and booming, and includes a personal assessment test. Tuesdays, Oct. 13-Nov. 17, 6:30-8 p.m. Fee: $38.

Starting a Career as a Wedding Consultant. Tuesdays, Oct. 13-Nov. 4, 7:45 p.m.-9:45 p.m. Fee: $44.

Marketing Your Ideas and Inventions. Nov. 7. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fee: $21.

Adult Education, Glendale Community College, 1400 E. Broadway, Glendale 91205. (818) 243-3184.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA

Portraiture: Wedding Photography. Nov. 14-15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fee: $115.

The Taste of Success: Cookbook Publishing and Marketing. Oct. 9, 7-10 p.m.; Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee: $65.

Advanced Advertising Copy-Writing: How to Write Ads That Sell. Wednesdays, Oct. 28-Dec. 2, 6:30-9 p.m. Fee: $125.

Spanish for Health-Care Professionals. Tuesdays, Oct. 6-Nov. 10, 7-10 p.m. Fee: $115. (Course is held in Ventura.)

Certificate programs: commercial design, microcomputer graphic design, environmental and interior design, business and management, microcomputer office management, use of microcomputers in education, hazardous materials management, counseling skills, alcohol and drug studies, alcohol and drug counseling skills, legal assistant.

UCSB Extension, Santa Barbara 93106. (805) 961-4200.

PASADENA CITY COLLEGE

Typing Refresher. Helps re-entry into the business world or advancement on the job. Saturdays, Oct. 3-Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-noon. Fee: $50.

Bookkeeping. Beginning, intermediate and advanced classes develop skills necessary to achieve a career as a bookkeeper or to keep books for your own business.

Employment Tax Seminar for Small Businesses. Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fee: $37.

Bed and Breakfast--Start Your Own Business. Oct. 18 or Dec. 6., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $36.

How to Make Money at Home With Computers. Nov. 14-15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $70.

Dental Hygiene Continuing Education. Advanced Periodontal Therapy. Dec. 12, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee: $25 for ADHA or ADA members, PCC alumni; $35 for non-members; $12 for PCC dental hygiene students.

Office of Continuing Education, Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 91106. (818) 578-7261.

MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE

A career information and guidance course, including personalized testing, is available through the counseling office at (714) 594-5611, Ext. 380.

The college offers a certificate in management, a diversified small business program, continuing education classes for health-care professionals, evening high school and a high school diploma program. There is also a family day-care certificate. Call (714) 594-5611.

Programs for the physically handicapped at the San Gabriel Valley Training Center offer vocational services and programs for employment as a foremost goal. Call (818) 968-8479.

How to Market a Tour Program. Oct. 1, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fee: $30.

Career Strategies--Changing Positions in Today’s Competitive Job Market. Saturdays, Nov. 21-28, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Fee: $45.

The Occupational Program offers courses ranging from office skills and electronics to high-tech soldering, welding, air conditioning and refrigeration, wood shop and furniture making.

Lawn Mower Maintenance and Servicing. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 22-Jan. 21. 6-10 p.m. No fee.

Community Services, Mt. San Antonio College, 1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut 91789. (714) 594-5611.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO Courses in career development include Career/Vocational Assessment Battery: A Good Place to Start and the Career Planning Program.

Certificate programs include: graphic communications; 15 professional certificate programs offered by the Department of Business and Management such as accounting and professional designation in personal financial planning; hazardous materials management; purchasing management; marketing communications; computers in education; teaching English as a second language; microcomputer engineering; energy management; engineering management; nursing programs; alcohol and other drug studies; fitness instruction/health management; legal assistant internships.

How to Get Started in the Specialty Foods Business. Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fee: $85.

Stock Photography: How to Shoot It, How to Sell It. Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $90.

UCSD Extension, X-001, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093. (619) 534-3400.