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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2011)
Local News ETAP Journey to Freedom continued from page 1 out going into debt," says Lincoln. "You earn while you learn." The admission process requires students to take assessments for reading, writing and math. Lincoln says reading and writing are essential because trade workers need to understand technical manuals and be able to com- municate clearly, both ver- bally and in writing. He says math is in every aspect of construction, such as working with areas, propor- tions and computations. Students must score 90s in both reading and writing and a 60 in math to get into the program. This means they must perform at an 8th or 9th grade level in all the subjects. If students don't pass, Lincoln says he redirects them to the skills center to help students develop the basics. "All I need is willing stu- dents," he says. Once students finish the application process, ETAP puts them through ten weeks and over 240 hours of training, much of which is hands on. This includes instruction on how to build things, hand and power tool safety and scaffolding. Students also learn CPR, earn flagging certificates and receive Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHA) cards. At the end of the ten weeks, students receive cer- tificates and are encouraged to apply for work with trade organizations. Lincoln says the program has received favorable feed- back from companies that have hired ETAP graduates. ETAP has an advisory committee with representa- tives from a number of con- struction industry profes- sionals, including Hoffman Construction, Skanska and Walsh Construction. Portland State University and TriMet representatives also serve on the committee. "It makes a substantial difference and helps with outreach, having those pro- fessionals on board," says Lincoln. The advisory committee plays a part in curriculum development and the selec- tion of students. For example, Lincoln says he gets recommendations from committee member Charles Landers, who teaches construction at Franklin High School. Landers gathers students interested in construction, or the trades in general, and has them talk to Lincoln. From there, they are direct- ed to ETAP. Lincoln says the commu- nity college is an ideal place for students, considering the lack of wood shop and industrial education in pub- lic schools due to budget shortfalls. ETAP has a focused approach for high school students, but Lincoln says the program is designed to serve all students, including those with a felony on your record. ETAP holds information sessions on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 11:30 am at PCC Cascade Campus in TEB Room 117. For more info go to http://www.pcc.edu/career/e tap/ . I AM IMAGE Salon A full range of services for women, men and children, including coloring, perms, precision cuts, corn rolls, up- do's, sets and other texturesolutions. Free hair consultations are available. 1500 NW 18th Avenue, Suite 104 Portland, OR 97209 (Between NW Quimby & NW Raleigh) Free onsite and street parking. Easy access to TriMet Streetcar and bus routes. Wheelchair accessible. Hours: Monday – Saturday by appointment only. Call 503-282.0399 to schedule your appointment or consultation. Page 6 The Portland Skanner December 21/ December28, 2011 karanja Crews, educator and inventor, gave away 10 copies of his board game, Journey to Freedom: The Power to Read and Write, to Portland schools principals last week. In the game – which is developing into an online social network for youth working to bump up their education – players are enslaved in the Antebellum South, and must increase their knowledge of the English language and Black history to find their way to freedom. Order a copy, and get involved online, at www.journeytofreedom.org.
