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IBEW Local 827 Takes Learning Seriously

Michael Davison, Network Technician for Verizon and member of IBEW Local 827, is graduating with his A.S. degree from Pace University's online program in telecommunications this spring. It took five years of part-time study to work through his courses, and, according to Michael, he could have completed them much sooner.

Why did he drag it out? So that he could graduate at the same time as his buddy and learning coach, David Furey.

David is a Learning Advocate for IBEW Local 827. In this volunteer position, David takes education programs that are made available to 827 members and, if he feels they will help his fellow members, he helps promote them. NACTEL is one such program. "NACTEL is great for someone who has a family as well as a job. It's easier and less stressful for working adults than a traditional college program," says David.

Pace has been offering the NACTEL program, which offers degrees and certificates in telecommunications technologies entirely online, since Fall 1999. Since then, over 1,000 IBEW members have taken at least one course in the program. Twenty-nine of these adult learners are from Local 827 - the largest union group represented.

Why is that so?

"It's simple," says Debbie Naugle, Local 827 Verizon/IBEW Liaison, "because we promote it." Through Local 827's Advisory Council on Career and Life Strategies, a joint action committee of Local 827, Verizon and IBEW Local 1944, Debbie has incorporated NACTEL into the smorgasbord of educational offerings available to the members. "It's a great fit for our members. They work different shifts, at different locations, and because Pace's NACTEL program is entirely online, it enables our members to go to college, which they couldn't manage otherwise.

Advocates like David Furey couldn't agree more. David got involved in continuing his education when his 5th grade daughter came home from school with a math problem that he couldn't help her solve. "That's when I started taking courses," says David. Later, when he was asked to become a Learning Advocate for Local 827, he began the NACTEL program and saw the potential to advance his own education as well as that of his fellow members. "The NACTEL program not only gives you an education, it also helps boost your self-esteem. It shows we can do it."

The Pace NACTEL program offers an online A.S. degree in either Telecommunications (covers circuit switched networking, built on copper, DSL) or Networking Technologies (covers packet switched networks, including enhanced IP networking, fiber, and broadband). The program offers certificates, as well as an accelerated B.S. degree for those who have completed their associate's degree. Offered completely online and by experienced Pace instructors, the courses have enabled students to expand their foundation knowledge of telecom, while gaining an understanding of the newer emerging technologies.

Alex Gabler, a graduate of the NACTEL A.S. degree program and one of the first graduates of the new B.S. degree, thinks that "the program improves your skills and gives you a better understanding of the technology." Alex is in Systems Technician Operations and says "learning the fundamentals has definitely helped me on the job; in addition, Verizon is just starting to implement what I've already learned in my classes." Alex learned about the program back in January of 2002 when Local 827 sent out a FutureLink newsletter about education opportunities. "Without access to the Pace NACTEL program and the support of Verizon and the union, I would never have been able to achieve my lifelong dream of a higher education."

So far, Local 827 members has had five members graduate with their A.S. degree, including Robert Crosio, Jesse Diaz, Scott Dentsen (Pace 2004 'Student of the Year'), Michael Davison, David Furey and Alex Gabler. Alex is also one of the first to graduate with his B.S. degree this year, earning the B.S. Telecommunications Award for scholastic excellence. In total, Pace has 29 IBEW Local 827 students as graduates or in the pipeline. No other union local has so many students in this program.

Last year Service Center Clerk Veronica Rivers responded to David Furey's prompting to enter the program because NACTEL is helping her achieve a 'lifelong dream of a higher education.' Veronica is currently a student in the program and finding the coursework challenging but do-able. She has this advice for anyone considering it: "Make sure this is for you. You have to be disciplined to get through it." Despite the fact that NACTEL was the first online learning program Veronica had ever undertaken, she's had no problem with the technology or the instruction and knows she has help if she needs it. "The support of the Pace instructors and staff has been exceptional," says Veronica. "And David Furey has been great. On a regular basis he checks on me, keeps me motivated . he's been a real mentor." With that kind of team support, plus her own self-discipline and motivation, it's no wonder Veronica can say "I'm really enjoying this!"

Pace University's NACTEL program is sponsored by the National Coalition of Telecommunications Education and Learning (NACTEL) which is comprised of IBEW, CWA, Verizon, SBC, Qwest and Frontier. The program is administered by CAEL, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. For information on NACTEL, visit: http://www.nactel.org.


News & Events Newsletter Articles			News & Events - Articles IBEW Local 827 Takes Learning Seriously Michael Davison, Network Technician for Verizon and member of IBEW Local 827, is graduating with his A.S. degree from Pace University's online program in telecommunications this spring. It took five years of part-time study to work through his courses, and, according to Michael, he could have completed them much sooner. Why did he drag it out? So that he could graduate at the same time as his buddy and learning coach, David Furey. David is a Learning Advocate for IBEW Local 827. In this volunteer position, David takes education programs that are made available to 827 members and, if he feels they will help his fellow members, he helps promote them. NACTEL is one such program. "NACTEL is great for someone who has a family as well as a job. It's easier and less stressful for working adults than a traditional college program," says David. Pace has been offering the NACTEL program, which offers degrees and certificates in telecommunications technologies entirely online, since Fall 1999. Since then, over 1,000 IBEW members have taken at least one course in the program. Twenty-nine of these adult learners are from Local 827 - the largest union group represented. Why is that so? "It's simple," says Debbie Naugle, Local 827 Verizon/IBEW Liaison, "because we promote it." Through Local 827's Advisory Council on Career and Life Strategies, a joint action committee of Local 827, Verizon and IBEW Local 1944, Debbie has incorporated NACTEL into the smorgasbord of educational offerings available to the members. "It's a great fit for our members. They work different shifts, at different locations, and because Pace's NACTEL program is entirely online, it enables our members to go to college, which they couldn't manage otherwise. Advocates like David Furey couldn't agree more. David got involved in continuing his education when his 5th grade daughter came home from school with a math problem that he couldn't help her solve. "That's when I started taking courses," says David. Later, when he was asked to become a Learning Advocate for Local 827, he began the NACTEL program and saw the potential to advance his own education as well as that of his fellow members. "The NACTEL program not only gives you an education, it also helps boost your self-esteem. It shows we can do it." The Pace NACTEL program offers an online A.S. degree in either Telecommunications (covers circuit switched networking, built on copper, DSL) or Networking Technologies (covers packet switched networks, including enhanced IP networking, fiber, and broadband). The program offers certificates, as well as an accelerated B.S. degree for those who have completed their associate's degree. Offered completely online and by experienced Pace instructors, the courses have enabled students to expand their foundation knowledge of telecom, while gaining an understanding of the newer emerging technologies. Alex Gabler, a graduate of the NACTEL A.S. degree program and one of the first graduates of the new B.S. degree, thinks that "the program improves your skills and gives you a better understanding of the technology." Alex is in Systems Technician Operations and says "learning the fundamentals has definitely helped me on the job; in addition, Verizon is just starting to implement what I've already learned in my classes." Alex learned about the program back in January of 2002 when Local 827 sent out a FutureLink newsletter about education opportunities. "Without access to the Pace NACTEL program and the support of Verizon and the union, I would never have been able to achieve my lifelong dream of a higher education." So far, Local 827 members has had five members graduate with their A.S. degree, including Robert Crosio, Jesse Diaz, Scott Dentsen (Pace 2004 'Student of the Year'), Michael Davison, David Furey and Alex Gabler. Alex is also one of the first to graduate with his B.S. degree this year, earning the B.S. Telecommunications Award for scholastic excellence. In total, Pace has 29 IBEW Local 827 students as graduates or in the pipeline. No other union local has so many students in this program. Last year Service Center Clerk Veronica Rivers responded to David Furey's prompting to enter the program because NACTEL is helping her achieve a 'lifelong dream of a higher education.' Veronica is currently a student in the program and finding the coursework challenging but do-able. She has this advice for anyone considering it: "Make sure this is for you. You have to be disciplined to get through it." Despite the fact that NACTEL was the first online learning program Veronica had ever undertaken, she's had no problem with the technology or the instruction and knows she has help if she needs it. "The support of the Pace instructors and staff has been exceptional," says Veronica. "And David Furey has been great. On a regular basis he checks on me, keeps me motivated . he's been a real mentor." With that kind of team support, plus her own self-discipline and motivation, it's no wonder Veronica can say "I'm really enjoying this!" Pace University's NACTEL program is sponsored by the National Coalition of Telecommunications Education and Learning (NACTEL) which is comprised of IBEW, CWA, Verizon, SBC, Qwest and Frontier. The program is administered by CAEL, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. For information on NACTEL, visit: http://www.nactel.org.