GLENDALE : Women Sought for Technical Classes

Glendale Community College is using about $50,000 in state grants to help unskilled women compete for entry-level technical jobs traditionally held by men.

The college’s adult re-entry center is offering financial and other assistance to women interested in entering a one-year training program for electrical assembly, blueprint reading, computer repair, computer-aided drafting, soldering, aviation structural design and other fields.

“Of course men will be in these classes too, but we’re trying to recruit women in these areas because they’re traditionally male-dominated,” said Jan Swinton, the college’s coordinator of special populations. She said the program exposes women to “a little bit of everything” in the technical trades, so they can qualify for entry-level manufacturing jobs with a view to advancement.

The program has 20 openings funded through the state Job Training Partnership Act, plus additional spots covered by other grants. Women who qualify can get help with counseling, registration, tuition, books, transportation, child care, tutoring and job placement.

An orientation for interested women will be held at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 19 in Room TC107 on the college campus, 1500 N. Verdugo Road.