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This week in Mother Lode Works...
The Ripple Effect:
MLJT Staff Spotlight: Meet Sarah Philips
Upcoming Events
UI Claim Updates
Up to Date COVID-19 Information
- covid19.ca.gov: The official website for California COVID-19 updates and resources. - edd.ca.gov: EDD provides a variety of support services to people who have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced due to the impacts of COVID-19 in California.
The Ripple Effect
Mother Lode Job Training (MLJT) has many different programs and services to assist both jobseekers and businesses alike, and as a result, many stories of life changing successes occur. Today we highlight how our On-The-Job Training (OJT) program helped someone to overcome obstacles, find success and carry forward the gift of hands-on training.
In 1995, Robert Bryan came to Mother Lode Job Training. After serving some time incarcerated, he was ready to make healthy life choices and find a career. MLJT was able to assist Robert with finding employment at a local transmission shop where he was able to make a long-lasting career of 20 years
In 2018, Robert left his long-time career at the transmission shop and came back to MLJT for assistance. We were able to assist Robert with On-The-Job Training at Mother Lode Customs, a local custom auto body shop, for the position of Auto Body Technician. Robert quickly excelled in his position and became the Shop Manager. After successfully completing the OJT Program, Robert bought the business.
In 2021, Robert reached out to MLJT, this time looking to add a new Auto Body Technician to his team. MLJT was able to assist in facilitating an OJT for a new participant, Brodie Sheffield, at Mother Lode Customs. In this role, Robert was able to teach the hands-on auto body skills that he learned in his OJT to Brodie, skills that meet industry demand and are supportive of a self-sustaining wage.
During an interview, Robert expressed his gratitude for MLJT and the programs stating, “MLJT has helped so many people”. As a training site, Robert stated, “It feels good to help someone who is young to learn a trade where they can maybe one day own their own business”.
On-The-Job Training Programs are one of the many ways Mother Lode Job Training assists participants and businesses at the same time. Participants are able to gain employment and receive training directly from the employer. Hands-on work-based learning targeting specific occupational skills equips the participant to be successful in the industry while meeting the needs of the employer. The business is reimbursed between 50% - 90% of the new hire’s wages for a designated time to offset the cost associated with training, such as loss in production during training. This allows businesses to hire workers that may have a gap in skills needed to successfully hold the position, close the skills gap, and retain the employee. On-The-Job Training Programs continue to increase the skill level of the local workforce, providing employers with the talent they need to stay competitive in the market.
If you are a business or job seeker looking for more information on On-The-Job Training please call 209-533-3396 or email info@mljt.org.
MLJT Staff Spotlight: Meet Sarah Philips
Sarah Philips is a Center Manager at the Mother Lode Job Training Mariposa Office. Here she describes her role, discusses what she likes best about working in workforce development and shares one of her proudest professional moments.
Tell us about your role at MLJT.
I started out as a Resource Specialist in 2018, I was nervous to endeavor into a new career as I had been a stay-at-home mom for 12 years who served a few nights a week at a local restaurant and had applied for the job to better support my family. I was ecstatic when I found out I was chosen! I learned quickly that MLJT is a team-playing agency, who invests in its employees. With the support of faith, friends and family, I quickly overcame my fears and made goals of personal & professional development to learn as much as I could and move up in the agency. In 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, I was promoted to Job Developer and in early 2021, joined the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to assist businesses better and be active in the community. In mid-2021 my center manager and mentor, Stephanie had announced her resignation. While we were both sad to see her go, she felt it necessary to pass the baton; I applied for her position and got the job as Center Manager. Without Stephanie’s guidance over the years, assisting in my transformation from a timid Resource Specialist to the New Center Manager, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
What do you like best about working in workforce development?
I love to use creative and innovative ways to help others! I try to be an example of how personal struggles can create strength, and hard times does not mean give up or quit. Facing fears and overcoming struggles can produce endurance to meet one’s goals in life, and I love helping people learn that about themselves. I love to show others that having a career you love is more than about making money, it can be about having the purpose you were created for using the skills and abilities you innately already have and building upon them.
What professional moment or project are you most proud of?
I am proud of many goals and accomplishments I have achieved over the years; but honestly, over all of them, it’s those first steps I took to apply, interview, and just START the job that is my proudest moment. It took so much for me to overcome the fear of leaving my kids & having faith they’d be taken care of in my absence, learning how to balance work & home, and meeting personal development & career goals. Only I could do it, no one else. Without taking that first huge leap in overcoming fear and anxiety, I wouldn’t be where I am at today. Overcoming fear opened so many doors for me to learn the capability I never believed I had. I hope to spread what I have learned with others sharing those same thoughts and feelings.
Upcoming Events
December 3rd, from 1pm-5pm: SONORA HIRING EVENT
Mother Lode Job Training Tuolumne will be hosting a job fair at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Sponsored by MACT Health Board & Blue Mountain Minerals. Over 20 Employers will be in attendance.
February 14th – March 31st, 2022: CONSTRUCTION COHORT
The Tuolumne Community Collaborative is looking for individuals 18+ interested in participating in a construction pre-apprenticeship training program. Applications due January 21st, 2022.
UI Claim Updates See the latest number of claims filed below:
You can also find this information and more on the EDD site at: www.edd.ca.gov/newsroom.htm
For more information, contact your local Mother Lode Job Training job center:
Amador Center Manager: Annette, Email: asolisrios@mljt.org, Phone: (209) 223-3341 Calaveras Center Manager: Annette, Email: asolisrios@mljt.org, Phone: (209) 754-4242
Mariposa Center Manager: Sarah, Email: sphilps@mljt.org, Phone: (209) 966-3643 Tuolumne Center Manager : Lindsay, Email: lmacon@mljt.org, Phone: (209) 588-1150 Mother Lode Job Training is a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act(WIOA) Title I-financially assisted program and Equal Opportunity Employer; CRS 711 (TTY) Auxiliary aides & services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Mother Lode Job Training is a proud partner of the America's Job Center of California network.