|
For Immediate Release
June 13, 2002
Who: Port of Oakland's Employment Resources Development
Program (ERDP)
What: Open House
Where: 516 Water Street, Jack London Square, Oakland (cross
street is Clay)
When: Friday, June 14, 2002 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(program Noon -12:30 p.m.)
Why: Introduce new offices, honor three outstanding employees
who were placed by ERDP, and recognize the Port's new Division of
Social Responsibility.
OAKLAND, Calif (June 13, 2002) - For more than
15 years, the Port of Oakland's Employment Resources Development
Program (ERDP) has helped job seekers in the local community find
work. Now the Port is opening new ERDP offices to provide greater
public access as well as highlight the Port's renewed commitment
to social responsibility. The ERDP is incorporated into the port's
new Division of Social Responsibility headed by Director Bernida
Reagan.
"These new offices symbolize the Port's genuine and ongoing
commitment to help place job seekers from our local impact area
with Port tenants," stated Division of Social Responsibility
Director Bernida Reagan.
The open house is scheduled for this Friday, June 14, 2002 from
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 516 Water Street, Jack London Square,
Oakland. A program from Noon to 12:30 p.m. will celebrate the
new offices and honor three outstanding individuals who gained
employment through ERDP. The "Employees of the Year"
are residents in the Port's local impact area or local business
area and serve to exemplify ERDP's success in placing more than
330 people in jobs with Port tenants in one year.
"We are excited to be able to offer our employment resources
in a location that is easier for the public to access and where
we can better serve the community," said ERDP Coordinator
Joann Yoshioka.
Businesses such as Ontario Aircraft and Federal Express partner
with the Port by placing qualified job seekers with their companies.
On the average, the positions pay above the living wage and more
than 70 percent of the jobs include employee benefits. The annual
wages for all the ERDP job placements in 2001 would total about
$7 million.
At Friday's open house, three outstanding employees who were
placed by ERDP will be honored: Marlene Barrett of West Oakland,
Daniel Butler of Alameda, and Gabriel Rubio of Richmond. They
overcame personal challenges to gain employment and to their credit
have all been promoted since their initial placement.
Marlene Barrett works for Acumen Building Enterprise. She has
been with Acumen for three years and is now their Marketing Manager.
Daniel Butler works for KTVU/FOX 2. He was interviewed by ERDP
and referred to KTVU/FOX 2 for a position at Master Control. He
started out part-time, but was offered a full-time permanent position
after three months. He is now a TV Engineer and supervises Master
Control and Audio during prime time. Gabriel Rubio is a painter
for Rolls Royce Engine Services. While he had many years of experience,
he found himself without a job after company downsizing. The opportunity
at Rolls Royce provided him a job with good pay and a convenient
work schedule to meet his family obligations.
On hand for the program will be the President of the Board of
Port commissioners Phil Tagami, Port of Oakland Executive Director
Tay Yoshitani, Division of Social Responsibility Director Bernida
Reagan, ERDP coordinator Joann Yoshioka, the "Employees of
the Year" and senior aides past and present.
Contact:
Marilyn Sandifur
Media and Public Relations Manager
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.comAlternate Contact:
Midori Tabata
Communications Assistant
(510) 627-1187
mtabata@portoakland.com |
