Job Readiness Students Get Ground-Floor View of Cleaning Industry
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)“Do the best I could – be the best I could be.” That’s Arnold
Hamilton’s approach to every job, and Hamilton recently challenged students in
a job readiness program at Covenant House to do the same. As a District 82
Delegate with SEIU Local 32BJ, Hamilton (at left in photo meeting a student
and below speaking to the class) works closely with workers across the DC
area in the service sectors. He took time out of a hectic schedule to meet with
young people and provide them an overview of career opportunities in the
cleaning sector. Highlighting the opportunities to start in entry-level
positions and gain the skills and experience to move up, Hamilton provided
first-hand accounts of union members who started as a cleaner and pushed
themselves to be more, moving up to skilled trade positions, management
positions, and into union leadership roles representing thousands of members.
“They got their feet in the door and took advantage of the opportunities,”
Hamilton told the students. “There are opportunities out there for those who
want to advance themselves,” Hamilton added, noting that “the service
industry is here to stay.” In challenging the students to be active in their
job search and take advantage of opportunities to build
a career, Hamilton also stressed key attitudes necessary to be successful in any
job. “Be reliable, show up and be willing to learn,” he said. “Take pride
in what you do.” The benefits of being a union member are “not only about
better wages and working conditions,” said Hamilton, “it’s about dignity
and respect for the workers.” Arnold’s presentation was in support of the
work of the Community Services Agency, which partners with Covenant House of
Washington to introduce students in the program to career opportunities. -
report/photo by Yvette De La Cruz