CWA/NETT Academy Mailbag: Training, Career Advancement, All in the Family

CWA Local 6320 member Jan Jarnagin has been with SBC in St. Louis, Mo., for 24 years. She just got a promotion from senior reports clerk to DSL network center technician. With one son starting college in the fall and another just a year behind, the pay increase will help. But her husband, Bruce, also wanted to help stretch the family income.

A college graduate and former teacher, Bruce is currently working as a dispatcher for Emerson Electric. While he was looking for a better job, Jan learned through a company e-mail that spouses and dependents of CWA members are also eligible for training benefits through the CWA/NETT Academy.

Bruce is already on his way to receiving CCNA certification through the CWA/NETT Academy, having completed Electronics for Telecommunications and Routing & Switching. He's getting ready to take Routing & Switching II and expects to complete the final three 8-to-10-week courses he needs for certification by January.

Jan's proud of her husband, who studies online with CWA/NETT's training partner, Stanly Community College. "He's a smart guy, gets straight As and usually finishes his work ahead of time," she says.

Hoping eventually to work for SBC or another company that can use his newly minted skills, Bruce says, "If you're in the position of changing careers, the CWA/NETT Academy is a great opportunity."

To find out what the CWA/NETT Academy can do for you, log on and explore the website at www.cwanett.org. You just might find the key to your future.

Have a training success story you'd like to share?
Send it to Kevin Celata, at kcelata@cwa-union.org.