Former HRD Student Succeeds Through Job At A-B Tech
Joddie Shetley checks on her list of Career Start participants while working as an administrative assistant for Deborah Holebrooks, Career Start Care Manager. Shetley is a former Aspire student.
Joddie Shetley, Career Start administrative assistant, first attended the Aspire program through A-B Tech's HRD program a few years ago, and went on to complete classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.
"I didn't think I would have to come back to A-B Tech," Shetley said. However, crippling arthritis made it impossible for her to keep up with the physical demands required of a CNA.
For two years, she was unable to work "I did nothing. I worked with my doctor to get my arthritis under control just trying to walk and get out in the world," she said. "It took two years, but patience and prayers really work, and that's why I am here today."
Shetley came back to A-B Tech not only because she knew it would be valuable, but because of the inspiration she received before. "I knew Alma (Fisher, HRD instructor) and kept in contact with her. She was just a wonderful person. I knew if anyone could bring me back on my feet it would be Alma."
Shetley went through Aspire again to hone her resume writing and interviewing skills, as well as the fundamentals for keeping a job. She worked at Goodwill when Shelley White, HRD coordinator, submitted a job opening at A-B Tech. Shetley was recommended for the job by her supervisor, even though she didn't have a college degree. "She rarely gives out recommendations, and is very choosy about who works for her," Shetley said of her supervisor. She knew that was a huge compliment to her skills.
She went through the interview process and became a member of the A-B Tech family in March of this year, still battling arthritis. "It's always painful, but nothing like I had," she said. "I love this job. I can get up and sit down when I need to. I work with a wonderful supervisor, Deborah Holebrooks and Shelly White, our coordinator."
Foundation Receives Rotary Grant
The Rotary Club of Asheville recently awarded a $1,000 grant to the A-B Tech Foundation from the Harry Morrill Endowment Fund. The funding is part of an ongoing effort to endow a Rotary Club of Asheville scholarship at A-B Tech.
"The creation of an endowed scholarship at A-B Tech by the Asheville Rotary Club will perpetuate the mission and values of this club," said Anita Metcalf, executive director of the A-B Tech Foundation and vice president of College Relations. "It will provide opportunities for our students, many of whom are first-generation college students and displaced workers, to pursue a career and make a better life for themselves and for their families."
The Morrill Endowment was established in 1981 by Harry Morrill on his 90th birthday. Morrill was a long-term Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Asheville and a prominent member of the Asheville community.
Twenty-five percent of the earned income from the Morrill Endowment is available for community grants each year. The grants are designated for health, human services, the arts or education programs that benefit the community, particularly the disadvantaged. The A-B Tech Foundation is one of 11 community organizations funded this year.
Road Tractors
Jason Henderson, Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology student, and Doug Adams, welding instructor, inspect one of the four tractor-trailer trucks the A-B Tech Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology program acquired to enhance the training experience for students. "These are road-worthy modern trucks," said David Walker, Transportation Technologies chair. "They are going to give great training opportunities. They are a dream come true." The trucks are all 1998 Freightliner FLD 120, which gives the program enough like vehicles to make projects and grading more uniform. They are the first trucks A-B Tech has bought for the program. Instructors and students built previous vehicles. "We are hoping to attract more students with this fleet of new trucks. They will help better prepare the students for the job force," said Walker.