California is Land of Opportunity for Minorities in Trade College; New Research Reveals Trade College Students Confident about Their Future.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2000

Minorities Are in the Majority Capitalizing

on Skilled Trade Shortage

Research released today reveals that confidence is high among Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC) students who are benefiting from the critical shortage of skilled labor.

Initiated by Miller Brewing Company's TOOLS FOR SUCCESS program which awards technical students the tools they need to enter the workforce, the research reflects the fact that minority students, in particular, are poised to capitalize on this opportunity.

Ninety-one percent (91%) of the student respondents were non-Caucasian with Latinos representing the largest group, followed by Asians and then African Americans. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of these students feel confident about their future and their career choices. Eighty-six percent (86%) say that of all the things they could have done, they know they made the right choice by signing onto the program they are taking.

"They should feel confident," said John Dahlgren, Chair of the Taskforce on Industrial and Technology Education in California. "Tremendous opportunities exist. Nationwide, in the tool & die industry, there are 24,000 jobs paying $45,000 a piece that are left unfilled. There are 50,000 construction jobs open in California alone." Dahlgren goes on to say that the shortage of skilled trade workers is one of the nation's most rampant problems.

According to experts, the retirement of today's baby boomers will further exacerbate the skilled trade shortage. Linda Wong, Program Director of the Community Development Technologies Center, states that the problem is particularly acute in California due to the diversified base of manufacturing in the state.

While Dahlgren believes this crisis is under-publicized, the opportunity is not lost on these students. High paying jobs are one of the top reasons students cite for choosing trade college. More than two-thirds of students (68%) believe they'll get a job immediately after graduation. One-fourth expect to work for themselves while 65% plan to work for a company. Only 13% are concerned that the economy will not produce enough jobs. Page two

"Minorities are shaping the future of skilled trade in California," stated Wong. The statistics bear her out. In the Los Angeles Unified School District, which represents more than 600,000 students, well over two-thirds of the population is Latino, with the balance represented by Asians and African Americans. At LATTC, less than 7% of students are Caucasian.

These students did not proceed to trade college without considering other options. Nearly half (45%) considered regular college or university programs. Nearly 50% of technical students report they feel better prepared for a job in the real world than with a university liberal arts education. While 26% considered going directly into a job, more than half selected trade college for the ability to get hands-on training with professional tools and equipment used in their trade.

Students are well aware of technology's impact on today's workplace, including the more traditional blue-collar trades such as auto mechanics and machine shop. Eighty-seven (87%) said that computers and technology are an integral part of their future.

Ninety percent of graduating vocational students need technologically sophisticated tools (costing between $1,500 to $10,000 or more) to enter their chosen professions. One-third of students (33%) surveyed expressed concern that after all the time spent training to get new skills, it will be difficult to afford the equipment and tools needed to practice their trade. "Hands-on training is of ever-increasing importance in the rapidly changing marketplace," said Victor Franco, study sponsor and Community Affairs Manager Miller Brewing.

Technical colleges are challenged with meeting the tremendous demand for skilled trade workers and many obstacles still exist.

Blue-collar stereotypes are a contributing factor to the skilled trade shortage, states Dahlgren. "The dank and dirty perception of manufacturing is an antiquated vision," states Dahlgren. "Today's manufacturing is so automated that employees in the machine sector go to work in Dockers and sports shirts." Wong agrees. "Public perceptions continue to hinder the industry, and yet there are significant opportunities at all levels. Welders are paid $26 an hour, sheet metal workers, $30 an hour," Wong adds. "Manufacturing is far from dead in California. In fact, Los Angeles is the largest manufacturing sector in the country."

TOOLS FOR SUCCESS was created to put "job-ready" employees into industry. "By providing the tools of the trades, vocational graduates can bypass low-level `helper' positions and perform the higher-level jobs that employers are desperate to fill," said Franco. "Improving the skilled trade labor situation is critical to keeping Southern California's economy humming."

The TOOLS FOR SUCCESS research was undertaken in cooperation with CommSciences, a research and planning firm. The research queried 231 second-year students at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College on their attitudes about trade college and perceptions about their future.

Created by Miller Brewing Company in Los Angeles in 1992, TOOLS FOR SUCCESS has provided more than 1,200 vocational graduates with the tools and equipment necessary to succeed in the workplace. The program works to increase public awareness of the importance of technical training, the achievements of program graduates and the need to address the growing skilled labor shortage. TOOLS FOR SUCCESS has expanded to 18 locations and is endorsed by the American Association of Community Colleges.

This year, 21 vocational graduates in 15 fields are expected to receive the tools they need to enter the workforce. An awards ceremony honoring this year's winners will take place on April 12, 2000.