Workers and Employers Win with CWA/NETT Training

For years CWA/NETT Academy has been providing training and resources to CWA members through its districts, sectors and represented employers.

In March 2006, CenturyTel management requested the services of CWA/NETT Academy. The employer recently identified the need for moving its workforce towards certification, both to become competitive in today's market and to be eligible for additional technical support from equipment manufacturers.

After several unsuccessful attempts with for-profit vendors offering the NET+ certification, CWA members of Local 4370 in Lorain, Ohio, were provided the opportunity to train with CWA/NETT Academy during work hours at the local's training center.

The results were outstanding and exceeded the employers' expectations, considering the past experiences with other vendors. Instruction for this group was delivered locally and via webcast from CWA's partner, Stanly Community College in North Carolina.

"Certification brings opportunity to members and the company alike; we need to continue to work together in training so we remain competitive in this time of convergent technologies," writes Harry Williamson, president of local 4370.

"It's opportunities like this that show our represented companies that we can be part of the solution in growing their business," said Jimmy Gurganus, CWA vice president for Telecommunications.

CWA/NETT Academy is a not-for-profit entity of CWA, funded in part through contributions from employers through collective bargaining. In addition to certification preparation courses, CWA/NETT Academy offers an Associate Degree and certificate programs. To learn more about the Academy's programs, log onto their website at www.cwanett.org.

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