News and information for the students,
parents, friends and community
proudly served by:

Comprehensive Training Systems
Since 1985
Table of Contents
Looking ahead with Linda, Perspectives from our President  
Hire-A-Youth  
James Majors Takes Major Rehab Step  
San Diego County Youthbuild  
Money-$aving Programs offer Utility Bill Relief  
7ways to cut your electric bill

Looking Ahead with Linda -
Perspectives from our President

I am excited to share with all of the friends and supporters of CTS the new and exciting programs
we have added.
CTS together with NASSCO began customized training in Basic Manufacturing Techniques.
This is a Five Week program designed both by CTS and NASSCO Training Staff to improve industry related math, print interpretation, basic applications and work readiness skills.

These valuable partnerships offer our trainees added skills and great benefits.
Trainees transition into employment with improved occupational skills and language communication. 



Join me in making 2009 the best year ever for CTS!


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  Hire-A-Youth

 

Comprehensive Training Systems together with the San Diego Workforce Partnership present the Hire-A-Youth Summer Program in South County.  Youth who qualify will receive employment readiness training and job placement within the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.  This program allows youth to earn while leaning and developing their futures.
 

 

 

 

 

Eligibility:  This program will benefit youth between the ages of 14-24 who live in the Southbay area.  Applicants who meet low-income criteria guidelines will be admitted into the program on a first come first serve basis.

 

 

 

Program:  Applicants who are determined, suitable and eligible will be given assessments in the areas of math, reading, and vocational interest.  This information along with employer input will be used to determine an appropriate summer placement.  Youth who participate in this program will be required to complete 12 hours of  Employment Readiness Training and 120-180 hours of Work Experience.

 

For additional information please contact Comprehensive Training Systems Hire-A-Youth Program at

619.424.6650  or  email  hay@ctsjobs.org

For the latest updates, follow us on Myspace and Twitter!!

Click here for application.   Click here for work permits.

 

 

James Majors, on right, proudly stands with his supervisor, Oliver Jones.


CTS provides vocational employment training and job placement services to ex-offenders that is a vital resource toward re-entering the workforce and becoming a contributing member of our community.  Through it’s funding with the Employment Training Panel, CTS is able to train SB618 participants. These two programs have effectively come together to bring about an array of services that supports and educates ex-offenders toward becoming self-sufficient and successful.  One such success, is James Majors a CTS graduate from the Basic Manufacturing course.
 

James Majors

 Fifty-seven year-old James Majors has spent much of the last 27 years in and out of prison.  He would be released only to slip back into drug and alcohol use and return to incarceration.

  On the way to his next trip to the slammer, however, James took a “Major” step.  He got himself connected to the caring people at CTS.  According to James, “CTS has turned my life around.”

  Centerpiece wanted to know how it all happened.  Here is what James told us.

  “I was released from prison in February, 2008.  Soon after that, CTS recruited me and encouraged me to enroll.  I attended some math and English classes to build up my basic skills.  Then they gave me some tests and placed me in a welding program.  I learned to do blue print reading. The instructors were very helpful and early this Fall, I was ready to seek employment.  At this point CTS put me in a class to give me interview skills and get me job ready.”

  Now James is working for B.A.E. systems, as a welder.  This company serves the ship building industry here in San Diego and is located just a few blocks from NASSCO.  He started there as a Fire Watch employee for two months at $9.00 per hour.  Then in early December he received a raise to $11.70 per hour and was promoted to welder.  At the end of December, James completed his probationary period with his company and now he is a regular employee looking forward to a bright future.

  “I get up and go to work every day like everybody else does, now,” James proudly said.

  This spring James will finish his parole.  This is the closest he has ever come to achieving this milestone in rehabilitation.  He is confident that he will make it, “I have a new life and a new way of living now, which I love.  CTS has had a big influence on it.  They had me take care of stuff that was on my insides that I didn’t know was holding me back.  They got me to go to N.A. classes and A.A. classes.  Now I am drug-free and alcohol-free and I intend to stay that way.  If I had never met the folks at CTS I’d be back in prison right now.  Instead, the new environment they brought, changed my life.

“CTS was a big part of changing my life.  Everyone there was kind, caring and they wanted to see me do well.  They did everything possible to steer me the right way and they just gave me a lot of enthusiasm.  After I got the job, they sent me a big Ol’ Card with congratulations.  They put me on the right road and now I want to be around those kinds of people and do the right thing.  By the way, my drink of choice now is iced tea!”

“Supervisor Jones said about James, ‘He is an outstanding worker, anything I ask him to do, he does, he never misses time, is proficient on the job and he is open to learning.  As far as I’m concerned, CTS can send us more like James!”

 

 


San Diego County Youthbuild


   On September 23rd the start of the new San Diego County Youthbuild began with eager youth from our community.  Comprehensive Training Systems in Partnership with the San Diego Community Housing Corporation embarked on this new venture that targets drop-out youth.

  Youth in the program learn all phases of construction in this six month program.  They gain knowledge in carpentry, electricity, roofing, masonry, plumbing, print reading, painting, drywall to name a few areas of learning.  This is all conducted in a work simulated environment coupled with on-site work at SDCHCs' low-income affordable housing projects.

  Not only do youth learn technical skills but they receive youth leadership training, work on community projects, learn to budget their monies through financial literacy workshops, they listen to industry quest speakers that inform them of the vast opportunities in the construction field.

  Not only do these youth learn but also receive a stipend in training and minimum wages while at the worksite!!!!  This not only enables youth to stay in the program for six months but gives them a work history that will translate into employment.

  Here are some of the faces in the program actively working, leaning and developing their futures.

 

If you are interested in enrolling into our next class please call us at (619) 424-6650.  Start your career opportunity today..

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Money-$aving Programs
Offer Utility Bill Relief

SDG&E offers special rates for low-income customers. For one or two person residences, you must make under $18,200 annually; $21,500 for three. Add $4,300 for each additional family member.

MEDICAL BASELINE ALLOWANCE: If you use an electric medical appliance for medical purposes, you may qualify for significant discounts from the utility.

LEVEL PAY PLAN: This payment plan offered by SDG&E uses an average cost of energy in calculating your monthly bill as way of curbing rate volatility.

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: Voucher programs are available for those who can not afford to pay their utility bills. Funds are limited. For more information, call MAAC Project at (619) 474-8737 (South County); 619 588-4323 (East County); or Campesinos Unidos (619) 239-1380; (Metro San Diego); or (760) 744-2155 (North County).

More than 3,000 people have begun new careers thanks to CTS.

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7ways to cut your electric bill
1.Invest in a new, energy-efficient refrigerator: Refrigerators get less efficient over time. If your refrigerator is more than 10 years old, you can expect to save up to $15 per month on your electricity bill by replacing it.

2.Turn down the hot water: If your water heater is electric, you can save significantly by turning down the temperature and wrapping the heater in insulating material.

3..Use warm or cold, not hot, water when washing clothes: 80 percent of the energy used to wash clothes goes toward heating the water.

4.Check large appliances before leaving for vacation: Remove perishable food items in you refrigerator before leaving. Unplug your fridge or turn up the temperature before leaving for extended periods. Turn off your water heater and check where your refrigerator is located. If it's near your stove or other heat source, it will use more energy to keep the contents cold.

5.Set your A/C to at least 78 degrees, or higher, or use fans in place of air conditioning.

6.Have SDG&E perform an energy audit: If your appliances are getting old, it's time to take advantage of your right to an energy audit. Your ratepayer dollars provide funding to have an SDG&E representative come out to your home and perform an audit on your electrical appliances.

7. Get a Time-of-Use Meter: TOU meters let you save on energy rates if you use power outside off-peak demand times, which are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. You are charged higher rates for "on-peak" hours when demand is high. If no one is in your home during the day, getting a TOU meter can save you money.


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