Success — Lives Transformed

CET Training Improves the Life of Farmworker

Juan Padilla's life has improved in so many ways since he left the fields, attended CET training and became an electrician. "Now that I make $25 per hour and only work one job, I have time to go out, visit places, and save a little bit of money. My wife attends Monterey University and my brothers, encouraged by my success, have also left the fields for better employment."

In 1983, Juan was working in Mexico with his father in new building construction, when he was persuaded by his brothers to come to the United States. Once here, he was only qualified to work in the fields, so he cut strawberries, lettuce and cauliflower for $7.00 per hour. Occasionally he would also work as a dishwasher to supplement his farmwork income — this was his fate for 13 years.

Juan remembers, "I knew I needed to leave the fields to improve my economic situation. Working in the fields is very hard — it is hot and the crops are often wet. With a wife and daughter, I needed to improve my life, but was afraid that I knew nothing. In the past eight years I had only received a 25 cent increase in pay... I know I could not work in the fields forever."

Juan heard about CET in the Unemployment Office and went for interview at the San Jose Sobrato Center. He was excited to learn that he qualified for tuition reimbursement (Federally funded) because he was a farmworker. In addition to skills training, CET provided additional support — helped with food stamps, rent stipends and most importantly emotional support that instilled in him "you can do anything you want with your life."

He enrolled in the Building Maintenance program, where he attended class daily to learn about carpentry, plumbing, and electrical principles and techniques. He remembers that he stayed busy learning and practicing his skills, which increased his interest. "I really liked the electrical skills I was learning, and decided that this would be my trade." When he graduated, CET introduced him to the EZ Electric Company, whereby he was given a test and an interview — and was hired on the spot! He joined EZ Electric in 1996 as an electrician apprentice. Partially due to his success, EZ Electric has since hired over 45 CET graduates!

Juan has truly excelled in his new profession; in only 7 years, he has been promoted to a Project Lead position, receiving full benefits for himself and his family, paid vacation and holidays, and a company truck. His current responsibility is the Lead on a new 240-unit apartment building construction project. He has a goal to become a foreman in the near future.

Juan enthusiastically stated, " The best part of CET is the teachers — they continued to tell me "you can do it — but you have to put for the effort." One of the unique things I learned at CET is the education about "teamwork". Juan says he sees a lot of other employees work only for themselves and not care about the work of the other plumbers or carpenters. At CET, we learned the importance of teamwork, and that has played a big part in my career success at EZ Electric. I am very thankful to have learned so much from my CET instructors, especially Richard Noriega."

Juan has been an inspiration to many farmworkers — in fact, his four brothers now also work at EZ Electric. "Once they saw that I could do it, they were encouraged to get out of the fields as well. With CET's encouragement, I took Citizenship Classes, and now my family can travel to and from the US — my parents come from Mexico once a year to visit, and are very proud of my success."

"CET training changed my life and the lives of my family. I am grateful."

Tom Pringle, an EZ Electric executive was pleased about this Success Story and commented during a recent visit to CET, "Juan is one of the finest men working in our company."

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