Tag Archives: training

Spring Training

You didn’t think I meant baseball, did you? We’ll leave that for another post. I am talking about physical training, and the idea that you don’t need fancy gyms or high-tech equipment to get a great workout. In my case my workouts have matured to the point where any aspect of my environment can serve as the center of a workout. I run hills. I leap high objects. I drag odd items.

Now that the weather has broken, this sort of stuff should be a lot easier to do.

Here’s a few titles that address the sort of training I do and the activities that I try to ready myself for.

The Amazing Water Bottle Workout by Jason Greespan

Cardio 4 x 4 by Jay Cardiello.

Conditioning For Outdoor Fitness by David Musnick.

The Outdoor Athlete by Courtenay Schurman.

Your Body Is Your Barbell by B. J. Gadour.

Keep in mind as you look at these books that personal fortitude remains the key ingredient you need to bring to any program of exercise. If you possess the will, you can train in a 4′ x 4′ box and get something out of it. Fortunately we have the whole wide world to use as our gym, so get out and enjoy the warmer weather, and get fit while you’re at it!

–Scott P.

Cardio-4-4cond-outdoor

your-bodyoutdoor-athWater-bottle

3 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Maker Professional Training Program

This Wednesday, November 5th at 6:00 pm, Jamie Sauer from the Maker Professional Training Program will be at CLP-West End to talk about the training program. The Maker Professional Training Program, through funding from a Department of Labor Federal grant, offers a free 90-day job training program for unemployed and under-employed people in the Pittsburgh area. The MakerPro teaches individuals next-generation digital making and machinist skills which they can use to find manufacturing jobs or create their own start-up companies. The classes are taught at a makerspace called TechShop, in the Bakery Square section of East Liberty, Pittsburgh. There the participants can get hands-on experience using laser cutters, CNC machines, water-jet cutters, milling machines, CNC routers, welders, 3D printers, and more.

I recently got to talk to Jamie about the program. It is helping to fill the skill-gap that local manufacturing employers are experiencing and it’s helping people develop new skills and find gainful employment in full-time careers in manufacturing. The program is bridging the gap between “making” and manufacturing: it’s teaching people how to turn their affinity for making into a fulfilling career.

The Maker Professional training program has a monthly enrollment so they are constantly reaching out to find and help people gain employable skills as quickly as possible. There are over 100 people in the program and they are adding and placing more participants on a monthly basis. This is the first program of its kind through the department of Labor and it is quickly gaining steam since its launch in May of this year.

They have a website that is open to the public as well as the MakerPro participants – www.maderighthere.me. On the site, people can create their profile, describe their skills and competencies and display their portfolio of finished and current, on-going projects.

If you are interested in learning more about the Maker Professional Program and the types of skills you can learn in their classes join us on Wednesday night at the West End location for a talk, cookies and coffee! The next round of classes begins December 1st!

-Natalie

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

FREE Computer Training at Your Public Library

Nearly every day I come across a story in the news about lingering unemployment and the havoc it’s wreaking on our country. Across these stories there runs a theme: many of the newly unemployed lack computer skills, a major detriment to finding employment in an economy where industry is out and service work is in.

Fortunately, many public libraries, including this one, offer free computer training to anyone who wants it. At our PC Center, our friendly staff teach classes on everything from Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to learning about email and navigating the World Wide Web. All you have to do is register and get yourself to the class!

Isn’t it odd that a free public service that provides help in the midst of one of our country’s greatest crises is still facing budget cuts? Don’t forget to spread the word to your local and state leaders that public libraries need their support!

–Wes

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized