Laid-of workers begin next chapter, train for new careers at Mercyhurst North East By Jennifer Smith
Imagine working for years earning enough to comfortably support yourself and your family and then suddenly being notifed your job was eliminated. That’s just what happened in 2016 to nearly 1,500 employees at a local manufacturing company. Thanks to a government-funded retraining program, many of those workers were able to turn the upheaval and uncertainty of a layof into a new opportunity. Because their jobs were lost as a result of foreign trade, they qualifed to receive the full cost of tuition at an accredited two-year program through the Trade Adjustment Assistance program funded through the U.S. Department of Labor. According to Linda Bremmer, who has been the government funding coordinator at Mercyhurst
University since 1997, the university must apply with the Department of Labor to participate in the program. While Mercyhurst North East ofers 24 associate degree programs, eight certifcate programs and two bachelor’s degree programs, only certain programs that train students for high-demand jobs and are likely to result in employment qualify, she added. That translated to more than 70 new students at the North East campus utilizing the TAA beneft this year. More than half are seeking health care jobs – enrolling in the registered nursing, practical nursing, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant, respiratory therapist and medical laboratory technician programs. Another 28 students are enrolled in business and computer systems support programs of study.
Returning to school after 30 years was a bit intimidating, admitted Kevin Williams, 49, who worked at GE for fve years as a painter before getting laid of. Anthony Mazzone, 50, good-naturedly points out that most of his classmates, and even some of his professors, are younger than he is. But both were motivated to make the most of the situation. “At frst it was quite overwhelming,” agreed Ryan Irish, a 35-year-old father of two, who was laid of after nearly 10 years. “There was some worry of not being as successful as I was hoping to be. By week two that had passed and I found myself thoroughly enjoying my classes and learning.” In fact, many are fnding success. In the nursing program alone, six TAA students received 4.0 grade point averages during the fall semester. According to the Ofce of Academic Afairs, of the 69
TAA students enrolled for the fall semester, 40 earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher with the vast remainder of the students earning a 3.0-3.5. “Seeing and seizing the opportunity for a better future has been a part of Mercyhurst North East since its inception in 1991,” said Dr. Gary Brown, MNE’s chief operating ofcer who, like many long-time staf members, personally invests in students, sharing in their successes and struggles. “We’re proud to be a part of their next chapter.” Non-traditional students also understand the value of the education they are getting, said Dr. David Hyland, associate vice president for academic afairs. They weigh the opportunity cost – in terms of lost wages and time invested – against the overall cost and their future earnings potential. Being able to invest two years
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