News Archive: B-FIT

B-FIT Reunion 1998

B-FIT Reunion celebrates 10 years of successful preparation for trades careers

B-FIT Reunion 1998

Our focus tonight was a reunion of B-FIT grads. We invited all the graduates that we could find since the program was started in 1989.

Jennice Jackson, recruiter and job developer for B-FIT‚s sister program, Ed-to-Work, gave us a brief history of how B-FIT got started, and its changes through the years. Jennice herself is a graduate of the second B-FIT class.

Jennifer Rasmussen and Anne Galisky talked about their experiences as B-FIT students, the difference B-FIT has made in their lives, and where they have gone with the knowledge B-FIT has given them. Anne worked for a remodeling contractor after graduating from the program. She then went on to start her own remodeling business, and now, she is building new homes.(Stop by her latest creation if you get a chance. It is located at 615 NE Graham). Jennifer has recently started an apprenticeship with Tri-Met as a bus mechanic, and told us what her work is like.

Other grads told us of their successes, post B-FIT. John Fulton, beloved instructor, said he was truly proud of all his former students have accomplished. He spoke of the changes B-FIT has in store - shorter hours so folks can go to school and work at the same time.

Congratulations on your successes, grads!


B-FIT Reunion celebrates 10 years of successful preparation for trades careers

B-FIT, Building Futures in Industry and Trades is a Portland Community College pre-apprenticeship program designed to prepare women and minorities to enter trades careers. Every year, OTN sponsors a reunion of graduates of the program. Twelve past and current students gathered with OTN members, B-FIT instructor Judy Campagna and Dean Deborah Miller to share their stories of change and success.

Robin Belle now works for Washington County running heavy equipment and repairing roads. Eight years ago, she went through a PCC class called New Directions - designed to help women entering or returning to the workforce. "I was homeless at the time", Robin says, "And very shy". She found out about the trades and about B-FIT. "It really changed my life. I got to try out all the different trades. Judy and John were great instructors. I‚m now on the B-FIT Advisory Committee, I have a truck and a house, all my bills are paid, and I'm doing it all by myself". Robin is giving back to B-FIT in other ways. She staffed Washington County's booth at the Women In Trades Fair, and her eloquence convinced county commissioners to to donate an annual scholarship to B-FIT.

Becky Herren had worked at Good Sam for 10 years, when she found out about B-FIT. "I could type 100 words per minute, but I didn't make much money. I'm now a journeylevel electrician. I've had some ups and downs - I was unemployed this spring, but now I'm working 50 hours a week out at Intel.I don't have a boring life - I've met thousands of people".

Anne Galisky graduated from B-FIT's second class. As a carpenter/contractor she built 4 houses this year and the last one just sold. This summer, she will be returning to B-FIT to teach the Contemporary Work-site Issues class.

Traci Sullivan is a journeylevel residential electrician. She now sits on the residential electrical JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee). "It's been really interesting. I've helped negotiate the contract, done lots of outreach for the program. The trades are trying hard to diversify, our training director has a pretty strong commitment to that".

Grad Suzanne Scheans wrote from Arizona to let her classmates know she is now a journeylevel steamfitter!

B-FIT still has a few slots open in its summer term starting June 20th. Or register now for Fall term starting September 20th. Call 614-7255 for more information or to sign up for an orientation.