Orientation Dates Announced for LA Fellows Cohort 15

New Orientation Dates and Locations Announced for LA Fellows Cohort 14

Orientation Dates Announced for LA Fellows Cohort 14 - Classes Start March 21st

Orientation Dates Announced for LA Fellows Cohort 13

LA Fellows in the News

The LA Fellows program, like so many of the wonderful nonprofits we work with, often struggles to get the word out that we're here and ready to help those who need us. We were very fortunate earlier this year to get a grant for our current cohort, as well as the next two which start in October and February, so there's no cost to unemployed job seekers or the WorkSource centers that sponsor them. But how to get the word out?

A  reporter from the Los Angeles Daily News heard about the program and asked if she could sit in on a class and speak to some of the people involved. We happily agreed and the result is a front-page story that ran in the August 31st edition. We think it is a great representation of what LA Fellows does best: bringing hope (and empowering) the unemployed. You can read the story here: Article -how-the-la-fellows-program-is-putting-people-back-to-work

The Daily News website also has a couple of videos from the day, capturing a bit of wisdom from our instructor, Lynnette Ward, and a few words from one of the Fellows. One of those videos can be seen here: video-how-the-la-fellows-program-is-putting-the-unemployed-back-to-work/

There's a link to another video on the Daily News site, as well as more information on how to become an LA Fellow. Our next class starts October 26th, and informational orientations are scheduled for September 9, 18, and 30 at Los Angeles Valley College, and October 7 at the JVS West Hollywood AJCC at the West Hollywood Library. All the information for those sessions are posted at http://lafellows.org/apply.html.  

1000 Words: Questions and Answers

It can be hard to describe to people what the LA Fellows experience is before they've lived it firsthand. Knowing that a picture is worth 1,000 words, here are a few words to try to explain.

It's challenging being a job seeker and having questions that no one can seem to answer, or getting different answers depending on who you ask. The cohort experience gives Fellows a chance to ask questions in a safe, non-judgmental environment where they can learn from both the instructors and the other people in the class.

Learn more about the LA Fellows program at www.lafellows.org.  

Free Workshop: Motivating Your Employees

Free Workshop: Reducing Overhead

On Tuesday May 12, 2015, Team Business Burbank and Los Angeles Valley College Job Training office (home of LA Fellows) is presenting another free 2-hour workshop: Reducing Overhead. Learn strategies to bring obvious (and hidden) costs down. 

If you're a job seeker this seminar can show an employer or networking contact that you are up to speed on current business concerns and proactive about learning and adding value to your brand. This workshop is FREE. To reserve your seat, contact Team Business at their website, itsmyseat.com/teambusiness.  

Upcoming seminars include:

• Motivating Your Employees (Tuesday, May 19, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.)

• Managing Conflicts (Wednesday, June 3, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.)

Free Workshop: Providing Excellent Customer Service

On Wednesday April 29, 2015, Team Business Burbank and Los Angeles Valley College Job Training office (home of LA Fellows) is presenting another free 2-hour workshop: Providing Excellent Customer Service. These free workshops are a great resource to share with your network and are relevant to business professionals across the board, regardless of their current employment status. Instructional workshops like this add value to a resume, give professionals a chance to network and meet new people, and are also a great talking point when an interviewer asks, "So what have you been doing since your last job?"

 

Everyone is welcome. Share this on your social media sites and be sure to register!

 

Do You Know Someone Who's Been Laid Off From One of These Companies?

LA Fellows don't pay a dime for the training they receive through our program, thanks to grants and special funding through our WorkSource partners. The top notch instructors, the materials, the coaching and strategic matches with the nonprofit organizations, the cohort experience - all of that is taken care of financially so that the Fellows can put in their best effort and concentrate on the job search.

We have been asked to get the word out about a important grant, called New Directions, that has been set aside to assist workers from a select group of companies. Workers who have been laid off from the following companies, on or after the date listed, may be eligible for free training through LA Fellows.

If you or anyone you know worked for any company on this list and may be able to take advantage of this opportunity, please call us at the Job Training office at Los Angeles Valley College, (818) 947-2941 and ask to speak to Mary or Allison about New Directions for LA Fellows. We also encourage you to check our website, www.lafellows.org/apply, and come to an orientation either December 5th or December 10th. Details are on the website, and classes begin on January 5, 2015.

• Aerojet Rocketdyne - 03/31/14
• Aircraft Service  International Group (ASIG) - 11/30/13
• Allied Beverages, Inc. - 11/12/13
• AMMEX Entertainment, Inc. -Las Palmas  Ballroom - 2/6/14
• ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment Services, LLC.(c/o: L.A. Convention Center) - 12/31/13
• Atlantic Express Transportation Corp. - 12/31/13
• Buerge Ford  & Chrysler - 3/8/14
• California Auto Mart Group, Inc. - 6/18/14
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center - 6/3/13
• Coda Automobile - 7/15/13
• Community Development Institute - 7/31/13
• Delaware  North  Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Inc. (DNC) - 12/01/13
• DTT Surveillance - 10/1/13
• Electronic Arts, Inc. - 12/13/13
• G2 Secure Staff, Inc. - 5/14/14
• Gilly Hicks - 1/26/14
• HemaCare Corp. - 12/8/13
• Intuit - 9/9/13
• JP Morgan  Chase - 10/11/13
• Kaiser  Permanente - 12/31/13
• Loehmans (La Cienega, Tarzana) - 2/28/14
• McDonald's - 12/1/13
• Menzies - 4/1/14
• Motion Picture Television Fund  (Wasserman  Campus)  - 6/1/14
• Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. - 12/31/13
• NBC Universal - 11/11/13
• Northridge Hospital Medical Center - 10/28/13
• Omnicare - 5/23/13
• Orchard Supply Hardware - 10/25/13
• Paramount Pictures - 10/1/13
• Ralphs Grocery Company - 1/17/14
• ShoeDazzle.com - 12/13/13
• Shriner's Hospital - 6/6/14
• Siemens Healthcare - 6/1/14
• Technicolor - 12/21/13
• The Fat Cow, FCLA LP - 3/28/14
• U.S. Aviation Services Corp -LA - 5/1/14
• Wallenius Wilhelmsen  Logistics  Americus, Inc. (WWL) - 4/19/14
• Walt Disney Pictures - 6/9/13

If you are interested in LA Fellows but have not worked at any of the listed companies, fear not - the New Directions grant is not the only source of funding available. We welcome anyone who is unemployed and in need of a boost to their job search to come to an orientation and see if LA Fellows might be the right next step for them.

Free Workshop: Preventing Computer Viruses

On Tuesday October 28, 2014, Team Business Burbank and Los Angeles Valley College Job Training office (home of LA Fellows) is presenting another free 2-hour workshop: Preventing Computer Viruses. These free workshops are a great resource to share with your network and are relevant to business professionals across the board, regardless of their current employment status. Instructional workshops like this add value to a resume, give professionals a chance to network and meet new people, and are also a great talking point when an interviewer asks, "So what have you been doing since your last job?"

 

Everyone is welcome. Share this on your social media sites and be sure to register!

 

Orientation Dates Announced for Cohort 11

 

Free Training for Job Seekers

Who are the LA Fellows?

LA Fellows are motivated, hard-working, enthusiastic individuals, with solid work experience, who are looking for their next career opportunity. Visit www.lafellows.org or call 818.947.2941 for more information.

 

Make a Difference in Your Career

LA Fellows receive free professional training covering executive level topics including advanced job search techniques, critical thinking, negotiating, and advanced computer skills. Training begins January 5, 2015.

Be the Difference in Your Community

LA Fellows volunteer their time and talents by sharing their professional expertise at local nonprofit organizations through meaningful project based roles. Throughout the program, LA Fellows will gain invaluable career growth skills, job search assistance, and receive the opportunity to give back to the community while they seek full-time employment.

 

Become an LA Fellow

Attend an informational session to learn more about the program and application process.    Job Seekers only need to attend one informational session. Be prepared to stay two hours.

When:          Friday, October 17^th, 10:00am

                        Friday, November 14^th, 10:00am

                        Friday, November 21^st, 10:00am

                                               

Where:         Los Angeles Valley College

5800 Fulton Avenue

Valley Glen, CA 91401-4096

Located in the Library building, Second Floor, Room 201

Parking:      Free parking in Lot B at the corner of Oxnard St. and Fulton Ave.

Mastering Effective Communication, A Free Workshop by LA Fellows Instructor Larry Braman

Free Workshops from LAVC Job Training & Team Business of Burbank

Valley College has teamed with Burbank’s Team Business to present another series of free workshops designed to increase productivity in the workplace.

In the first offering, entitled “Providing Excellent Customer Service,” guests will not only learn some of the best ways to deliver professional, helpful, and high quality assistance to customers, but will gain insight into diffusing situations with those confrontational individuals who inevitably show up in front of the counter or on the phone, and turn them into returning buyers.

Delivered by popular speaker Doug Marriott, this complimentary workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, from 10:00 a.m. – noon. To learn more, see the flyer below or contact Dale Beck, Event Coordinator at 818.947.2927.

Again, there is no charge to attend this workshop.

To reserve your seat, contact Team Business at their website, itsmyseat.com/teambusiness.

Below are the subjects and times for the remaining three:

·         Mastering Effective Communication (Tuesday, October 21, 2:00)

·         Preventing Computer Viruses (Tuesday, October 28, 10:00)

·         Creativity and Innovation for your Business (Tuesday, November 4, 2:00)

Another Cohort of LA Fellows Nears Graduation

Every cohort of LA Fellows is told in the first week to take advantage of the time in class to connect with the diverse group of professionals there. For every group of LA Fellows, the training time passes quickly, and Cohort 10 has been no exception. As they finish the on-campus instructional portion of the program, start working on the nonprofit piece and prepare for graduation next week, here's a quick snapshop of some of the activities that have been preparing them for their return to the workforce...  



Many of the Fellows took advantage of the optional
computer classes which help them to brush up on their
Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.





There were numerous opportunities for practicing their interview skills
and to brainstorm tweaks on cover letters and resumes.   

Fellows from previous Cohorts came by to give encouragement and first-hand insight on how to take their training and apply it to real-world situations.

They had lots of opportunities to exercise teamwork...





...Teamwork...

...And more teamwork! (Who says it all has to be serious and dull to be informative?)

The LA Fellows also got many opportunities to practice their presentation skills
and get comfortable speaking in front of a room full of people.

Most importantly, Cohort 10 has embraced the greatest lesson of the LA Fellows program: the power of a network. They share ideas, resources, and support. The hardest part of unemployment can be the isolation and uncertainty that comes from sitting alone in front of a computer hoping someone responds to a resume. LA Fellows learn the skills to make that a tiny part of the search and instead focus on effective strategies that connect experienced workers with real employers. Cohort 10 has proven that they are strong enough to step out of their comfort zones, smart enough to say yes to opportunity, and have the fortitude to follow this training to their next success.

We can't wait to see the wonderful things they achieve.