Making Our Union Stronger in Tough Times: CWA/NETT: A Vital Tool In a Tough Economy

As Verizon technician Tony Scalia puts it, you can be proactive about education or you can be reactive, rushing to learn something new only when technology or your boss demands it.

Scalia is firmly in the first camp, eagerly taking classes offered by the CWA/NETT Academy with tuition assistance from Verizon. "This is such an awesome opportunity," the CWA Local 2222 member says. "The CWA/NETT, to me it's top-notch."

In a week-long class in Herndon, Va., he and coworkers learned fiber-optic skills that could qualify them for work as Verizon FiOS technicians, the company's cutting-edge technology for cable, internet and phone services. And in online classes that teach CWA/NETT curriculum, Scalia is becoming certified in network systems. When he's done with that, he'll start a new class, and then another, he says.

CWA/NETT Academy has been offering classes for 10 years, with the variety of courses and opportunities growing all the time. It is run for members by the union and its education partners.

From computer software to technical proficiency in areas like fiber optics to criminal justice and media technology, courses are available for all CWA members. Last year, more than 1,000 members took at least one class, said Kevin Celata, CWA's Technical Training Administrator.

For Verizon workers and many other CWA members, tuition assistance funds are a negotiated benefit of their union contracts. When workers put that money toward CWA/NETT classes, they get a lot of bang for their buck, Celata said.

"CWA/NETT has always been a high-quality, affordable way for our members to continue their education and expand their options for promotions or new jobs," he said. "In today's economy, learning new skills is more important than ever. And by using CWA/NETT, members can maximize their tuition assistance dollars or save hundreds of dollars out of pocket."

Scalia, who's 41, says no one is too old to keep learning. He notes that a coworker in his 50s has gotten a Master's degree online and is now working toward more educational goals.

"I was looking at him and thinking, 'That man's older than I am and he's doing all this stuff, and Verizon's paying for it,'" he said. "We're crazy if we're not taking advantage of this opportunity."

To learn more about CWA/NETT classes, go to www.cwanett.org or contact CWA Technical Training Administrator Kevin Celata at kcelata@cwa-union.org.