Local Jobs

POSTED: Saturday, May. 02, 2009

Former GP worker found college challenging, rewarding

Loni Wiebe, 41, Bellingham

As one of the 217 Georgia-Pacific employees laid off in December 2007 with the closure of the tissue mill, Loni Wiebe was able to qualify for government-sponsored worker retraining aid. With the help of WorkSource Northwest(cq) and local colleges, she and many other G-P workers have successfully entered worker retraining programs around the region.

Her program: The online emergency management program through Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, Wash.

For how long: Since fall 2008.

Her background: After working at G-P as a production employee, and later as a safety coordinator, the idea of transitioning from her $70,000-a-year job into new career territory was daunting for Wiebe. But because she had been notified two months in advance that she would be laid off, Wiebe, and her fellow G-P employees, were able to plan their next steps in advance. She has a passion for safety. So she decided to add more education in the field to her work experience in order to increase the chances she can find good work. She will graduate the emergency management program in less than two years.

Describe the program's level of difficulty: Wiebe had not attended school since she graduated from high school in 1985, and says the program has been challenging. "It was kind of a shock to me when I was reading about all the essay assignments in all of my classes," she says. "But it has also been rewarding."

Her career goals: Wiebe would like work in safety consulting and training, and as an emergency management specialist at presidentially declared disasters, such as hurricane or earthquake sites.

What was difficult about getting into the program: Because she couldn't easily drive to the college campus to talk to advisors, dealing with the admissions process was difficult, she says.

What encouraged her: "After high school, I thought school wasn't for me, so the most encouraging thing is finding out I'm actually capable of being successful in college courses," she says.

An experience that best prepared her for this training program: Being part of the emergency response team at G-P.

Her tips for those thinking of going into retraining program:

• Develop a relationship with your schools' worker retraining specialist

• Work with a local WorkSource agency

• Research your choice in retraining thoroughly

• Treat your retraining as a job

• Ask questions