STARTING ANEW WORKERS LAID OFF DURING TOUGH TIMES NOW ARE TURNING TO TRADE SCHOOLS.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

For 11 years, Manuel Samaniego operated a machine eight hours a day at a Black & Decker factory in Pacoima.

But, three weeks ago, the crankshafts Samaniego could operate with a blindfold on stopped turning as he and 90 of his colleagues were laid off due to economic woes.

``I was shocked, I couldn't believe this was happening to me,'' said the 35-year-old from Sylmar.

Now, Samaniego finds himself perched in front of a machine at the North Valley Occupational Center without pay. He's enrolled in a trade school that has experienced a 17 percent rise in enrollment this year compared with last year at this time.

From auto repair to English as a Second Language classes, trade schools throughout the San Fernando Valley are experiencing a deluge of attendees as the recently unemployed attempt to sharpen their skills to improve job prospects.

Donald Gaskin, principal of the North Valley Occupational Center, said during tough economic times, trade and specialty schools receive an influx in enrollment because people are simply looking for jobs that require skills you can't learn anywhere else.

``People come here that have been downsized from a company and decide to make a career change,'' Gaskin said. ``And it's been going on since the start of the economy's turn.''

The machine shop at North Valley was abuzz with students drilling holes through 2-inch-thick pieces of metal. A middle-aged man wearing a blue smock and yellowed goggles was demonstrating a task for the seasoned machinist.

``We're training people for jobs that need to be filled in a wartime economy,'' said Raul Molina, the machine shop instructor. ``A lot of airplanes are made with things we can produce in this shop right here.''

Molina's student, Samaniego, is working toward his certification to operate computer numerical control machines that can cut a piece of metal at the bat of an eyelash. Samaniego said another 1,000 hours and he will have a certificate which will hopefully lead to a new job.

``It's all math, all math,'' said Samaniego, as he flipped through a notebook filled with myriad tasks he has to complete.

While Samaniego could land a job that pays around $50,000 annually, the training costs about $110. Gaskin said the instruction is relatively inexpensive because the school is affiliated with the Los Angeles Unified School District.

``That's all you have to pay. It's publicly funded,'' he said.

A few yards from the machine shop is a garage stocked with cars that are about to receive a fresh coat of paint. Rich LaGrasta, who was working on one of the cars, was laid off from General Motors when they closed their Van Nuys plant in 1992. Because LaGrasta had worked for GM for more than 30 years, he was entitled to retirement benefits which included receiving an education and pay.

``I'm thankful that I can use my talents here. Some people that were laid off from GM didn't have their 30 years like me,'' he said.

Though trade schools provide alternatives for those who have recently lost their jobs, they also provide training for people who are entering the job market.

Shelly Steinberg, job developer at North Valley, teaches ESL and provides career counseling services. She said it's jarring to see how many people are desperate for work right now.

``They just walk in and I try to get a sense of what kind of job they want and they say anything. Anything? Yes anything,'' she said. ``It's just frustrating trying to find the right job for people.''

And for a school that receives funding based on attendance, it's paradoxical. Steinberg said when the job market is so tight, the school tries to snatch every opening that comes about. However, when the school fills a position they lose a student.

``It's a double-edged sword,'' Steinberg said.

For the hearing impaired enrolled in North Valley's American Sign Language course, a single job, especially amid recessionary conditions, isn't anything to scoff at.

``I'm looking to do some filing. But, it's frustrating trying to find a job right now,'' said Alina Medina, a 22-year-old from Santa Clarita who communicates through sign language.

Job seekers that speak English as a second language are also hard pressed for work. Tim Buchanan, director of adult education at the Burbank Adult School, said the ESL program is overflowing with attendance.

``It's certainly happening here. ESL courses are really popular right now,'' Buchanan said.

Across the Valley at El Camino Real Community Adult School, the ESL program was dwindling because of weak attendance. But, since the economy fizzled, Sara Vasquez, assistant principal, said the ESL program is thriving once again.

``Attendance has become healthy. We've seen a noticeable increase in enrollment,'' she said.

Even so, an increase in attendance doesn't mean there will be job openings once the students graduate. Los Angeles County's seasonally adjusted unemployment reached its highest level in more than two years last month, climbing to two-tenths of a percent to 5.9 percent, the Employment Development Department reported.

The county's manufacturing sector lost 2,300 jobs in October, with the largest declines accounted for in transportation equipment, down 800 jobs. Apparel and other textile products saw a decline of 900 jobs.

``It's not welcoming in certain industries right now,'' said Saul Gomez, director of economics at the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley.

Still, as the baby boomers approach retirement age, jobs will most likely open up in greater frequency.

``And there's always a need for machinists,'' Gomez said.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) North Valley Occupational Center Principal Donald Gaskin, center, watches as students learn new trades. The school has had an influx of students.

(2 -- color) Manuel Samaniego, who lost his job because of economic cuts, examines a drill bit at the North Valley Occupational Center. He is among many who are learning new skills.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News