Tools of the Trade : Unique Program Gives Vocational School Graduates a Head Start on Their Careers
Vocational students have always been left out of the traditional scholarship pike. Most of the time, scholarships are given in the form of checks to students who are starting their schooling or plan to complete their education. The Tools for Success program gives students a tangible gift that really helps them get the job they need to succeed. And it is only for vocational students, which makes it very exciting for us.
The majority of our students pursue trades rather than four-year college degrees, although some do go on to a college or university. We offer courses in 60 trades, such as air conditioning and refrigeration, culinary arts, baking, fashion, automotive, welding and printing.
When they graduate, 90% of these students will be required to have their own tools before they will be hired. Purchasing those tools is a big investment, and many students cannot make it right away. In the automotive trade, a good set of tools can cost nearly $3,000.
Most of the graduating students must get a loan to buy the tools, or they have to work odd jobs in their field so they can start accumulating tools and experience. Even though they have earned their certificate in the trade, if they don’t have tools, they must start out in an entry-level, helper-type position. What Tools for Success does is equip them with the tools they need so they can get the job they were trained for.
It was Miller’s idea to present the students with the tools rather than giving them checks, because a student might have another need arise and have to use the money for that, delaying his ability to find work. Also, the tools are selected by the instructors in each course of study, and they select a level of quality that the students might not necessarily select.
When we started the program, we sent a list of tools to Miller and they purchased them. Now, we find it’s easier for Miller to write us a check and we have the instructors order the tools and assemble them into kits. Each year, Miller donates a minimum of $60,000. We are extremely grateful to them for doing this for us. Since the program started, 90 students have received tools.
Southern California Edison heard about the program, and they have also started funding a few sets of tools each year. Now, the Southern California Gas Co. is also interested in getting involved.
Each year, we have a competition to determine which trades will be awarded the tool sets. We started out with about a dozen trades and now we’re up to 16, with two students from each trade being chosen by their instructors as the recipients.
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The Automotive Trade and the Autobody/Collision Trade always get tools because those tools are the most expensive and the most difficult for students to purchase. Students in other vocations will need lot of specialized tools. The fashion students get two factory sewing machines and a dress form. The culinary students get a full set of knives, spatulas, industrial cooking tools, fancy cutters and a new chef’s hat and uniform.
The beneficiaries of the program have been students from all over the world and from all over the city. We’ve had students win who were from Russia, Belize, Laos, Scandinavia, El Salvador, Mexico and, of course, many from our local neighborhoods.
The ages range tremendously. Although the average graduating student is about 30 years old, we’ve had some winners who came to the college straight out of high school and some who were emigres or displaced workers as old as 50.
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Our student body is about 40% Latino, 30% African American, 20% Asian and 10% Anglo.
In order to be selected as recipients, students have to complete a scholarship application that includes a statement outlining their needs. Students must have at least a 2.0 grade point average to apply and 24 units in their major. The application also requires two references, one from an instructor in the program.
A committee of deans and representatives from business meets to choose the recipients. The selection is made one week or so before a special ceremony we hold in early May to hand out the tools.
After the awards ceremony, the students from our culinary arts program put on a reception with food donated by Miller. They serve oysters on the half-shell and other foods they don’t normally get to prepare. There is no alcohol served at the reception because we are a community college and Miller really did not want to promote their product in connection with this program.
We’ve had quite a few success stories. One of last year’s winners was a Scandinavian woman who came to the United States only a couple of years ago. She graduated from our culinary arts program, won a set of tools and is now assistant to the chef at the Playboy Mansion.
