A Retraining Program That Adds Up : Turning Displaced Defense Workers Into Math and Science Teachers Benefits Everyone

The end of the Cold War brought many blessings. The specter of nuclear war diminished. Spending on guns, missiles and warships was reduced.

But there was an unfortunate side effect as well: Tens of thousands of men and women in the defense industry, military and civilian, lost jobs. Many in their 40s and 50s were thrown out on the street, having done only one kind of work in their lives, jobs for which there was now little demand.

The U.S. Defense Department has tried to help retrain some workers, as it should. One promising new program is trying to turn 15 scientists and engineers, five of them from Orange County, into math and science teachers.

The National Research Council, a branch of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, began the retraining program with a Defense Department grant. The director of the program at the council’s Irvine office correctly noted that the laid-off engineers bring valuable resources to the public schools because they are computer-literate, are motivated and can supply good career advice.

Trainee Ernesto Golan of Fountain Valley said the program gives him the chance to do something rewarding at age 50. He also said that after being told he was not needed in aerospace after years of work, “it’s nice to be doing something where they say, ‘Hey, you’re needed.’ ”

The 13 months of training began last month with the former aerospace workers attending classes at Cal State Long Beach. They will intern later at inner-city schools in Los Angeles. Although the Los Angeles Unified School District is a partner in the program, participants are not required to work for that district after their training. Once they receive their credentials, they can go elsewhere; all are required to find their own jobs.

Math and science teachers long have been in demand in schools, and program officials do not expect anyone to have trouble finding employment in their new careers. One high school principal said the teachers are in demand because many others who could teach math and science end up doing other things.

It is fitting that Southern California was chosen for the program, since this region was hit especially hard by defense cutbacks. The program is planned to last two years and produce 60 new teachers.

If it is successful, it should be continued beyond the initial phase. Students will get good teachers, and those with new careers will have rewarding jobs that provide a feeling of accomplishment.