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Pyramid Business Systems Helps Oaklanders Find Tech Jobs

Published

9 years ago

February 25, 2016

When Brittany started attending the Pyramid Business Systems Telecom Tech program at Laney College this fall, she saw an opportunity to build her skills and find a job in tech, a field she already had an interest in.

In partnership with the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC), the Pyramid Business Systems Telecom Tech program enrolled 15 students in August – all minority Oakland residents – equipping them with the skills to install wiring for phone and internet service to homes and businesses.

The program provides soft skills training for job seekers, teaching them about computer systems, cabling and wiring, and how to manage the networks that transmit information across the Bay Area.

Telecom Tech is just one of several programs available to clients at PIC, where job training, support and ultimately job placement and success is the end goal.

The Telecom Tech program guides students on team building, goal setting, time management and other desirable skills that employers seek.

The program training funds are sponsored by the Oakland Workforce Investment Board’s (WIB) Dislocated Worker Additional Assistance Project (DWAAP).

“We help students navigate the process between landing a job and their job assessment,” said Jed Silver, president and CEO of Silver CDS, LLC and recruiter for the Telecom Tech program.

Taj Jones-Kobayashi does some cabling in an office building. Photo courtesy of Oakland PIC.

Twelve of the 15 students in the program were placed in jobs by the end of their training.

“We help employers get those individuals who have soft skills training. We attach actual employers to the program; that’s why it works,” said Silver.

Two influential figures in the industry are program instructor James Sullivan, who has worked at AT&T for over 30 years, and John Polk of Pyramid Business Systems, who has 42 years of experience in telecommunications.

Sullivan’s approach is hands-on – taking students to work sites where they put their newfound skills to use.

“There’s a wide range of opportunities for me to use my knowledge in cabling and networking to get jobs in lots of places, not just office buildings,” said Taj Jones-Kobayashi, a student who will start working at AT&T this month.

The Telecom Tech program will continue in January 2016. The program is looking to enroll students who are: at least 18 years old, unemployed or underemployed, have an interest in technology, and a willingness to learn. No previous experience necessary.

For more information, contact Jed Silver at (510) 214-5405 or jsilver@silvercds.com.

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Oakland Post: Week of January 8 – 14, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of January 8 – 14, 2025

Published

3 days ago

January 11, 2025

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Supreme Court Decision Confirms Convicted Felon Will Assume Presidency

NNPA NEWSWIRE — In a 5-4 ruling, the court stated that Trump’s concerns could “be addressed in the ordinary course on appeal” and emphasized that the burden of sentencing was “relatively insubstantial” given that Trump will not face prison time. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in the majority, with four conservative justices dissenting.

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s emergency request to block criminal proceedings in his New York hush money case, ensuring that a sentencing hearing will proceed as scheduled on Friday. The decision makes it official that, on January 20, for the first time in its history, the United States will inaugurate a convicted felon as its president.

In a 5-4 ruling, the court stated that Trump’s concerns could “be addressed in the ordinary course on appeal” and emphasized that the burden of sentencing was “relatively insubstantial” given that Trump will not face prison time. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in the majority, with four conservative justices dissenting.

Trump was convicted in May for falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in a state criminal case, particularly before all appeals in state courts were exhausted.

Trump’s legal team claimed the sentencing process would interfere with his transition to power and argued that evidence introduced during the trial included official actions protected under the Supreme Court’s prior ruling granting former presidents immunity for official conduct. Merchan, the New York judge who presided over the trial, ruled in December that the evidence presented was unrelated to Trump’s duties as president.

Prosecutors dismissed Trump’s objections, stating that the sentencing would take less than an hour and could be attended virtually. They said the public interest in proceeding to sentencing outweighed the President-elect’s claims of undue burden.

Justice Samuel Alito, one of the four dissenting justices, confirmed speaking to Trump by phone on Wednesday. Alito insisted the conversation did not involve the case, though the call drew criticism given his previous refusals to recuse himself from politically sensitive matters.

The sentencing hearing is set for Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Manhattan. As the nation moves closer to an unprecedented inauguration, questions about the implications of a convicted felon assuming the presidency remain.

“No one is above the law,” Bragg said.

Stacy M. Brown

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Barbara Lee Launches Campaign for Mayor of Oakland

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided, but a community united,” she Lee. “If elected I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city, so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

Published

6 days ago

January 8, 2025

Oakland Post

By Post Staff

Barbara Lee on Wednesday morning formally announced her candidacy for Mayor in Oakland’s April 15 special election.

“Time and time again, Oaklanders have faced our toughest obstacles by uniting to meet our challenges,” said Lee.

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided but a community united,” she said. “If elected, I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas, and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

“As Mayor, I’ll address our homelessness crisis, prioritize comprehensive public safety and mental health services, and lead with fiscal responsibility to deliver the core City services residents and business owners deserve. Let’s do this – together.”

“I’ve never shied away from a challenge,” said Lee. “I’m always ready to fight for Oakland.”

Watch her campaign video here, which is online at BarbaraLee4Oakland.com