The Peer Technical Assistance Network (PTAN) is an inter-connected group of Teamster leaders with the knowledge, skills and experience in implementing career development and transition (school-to-work) activities.

The mission of the Peer Technical Assistance Network is to support and assist Teamster affiliates to implement and sustain initiatives that help young people develop skills for tomorrow.

The goals of PTAN are to:

• Identify, recognize and promote school-to-work effective practices and promising models
• Build linkages between Teamster affiliates implementing school-to-work activities
• Provide technical assistance to Teamster affiliates in implementing school-to-work activities
• Guide the implementation of the Skills for Tomorrow Project
• Increase the number of Teamster affiliates in implementing school-to-work activities

Listing of PTAN Members

Peer Technical Assistance Network (PTAN) Meetings

July 23 & 24, 2001 Meeting & Awards Ceremony
Washington DC

The IBT Education Department held its second Skills for Tomorrow Peer Technical Assistance Network Meeting and Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on July 23 & 24, 2001.

Thirty-five participants, including Teamster leaders, educators, and others in the service and youth leadership fields joined Education Department staff to review the progress and potential of the Skills for Tomorrow project.

The objectives of this important meeting were:

1. To update participants on the Skills for Tomorrow project.
2. To recognize and award eight local unions for their School-To-Work programs that expose young people to a broad variety of career options, including high wage union jobs in growth industries.
3. To make plans for the future of School-To-Work within the Teamsters Union.

Outgoing National School-To-Work Director, Stephanie Powers, kicked off the meeting by talking about the transition School-To-Work will make in the months ahead- from the federal to state levels of activity. She also applauded the Teamsters Union for making a difference in the School-To-Work community. Later, 2001 School-To-Work awardees reported on their projects and learned new ways to expand their efforts.

Participants also discussed the future of School-To-Work within the Teamsters Union after the expiration of the government grant. They discussed new tools for technical assistance including the Roadmap, Career Video and other materials. Participants were pleased to hear remarks from General President James R. Hoffa, International Vice-President Dotty Malinsky and International Trustee John Steger.

November 7 - 8, 2000 Meeting
Saint Paul, Minnesota

The Peer Technical Assistance Network (PTAN) held it’s first meeting on November 7-8,2000 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

During the course of the two-day session Network members had the opportunity to visit The Skills for Tomorrow High School in Saint Paul – a charter school cosponsored by Joint Council 32.

The school was established in 1994 and currently enrolls 90 students in grades 9-12. The school also directs and manages a junior high program that currently enrolls 50 students. Both programs are based on a school-to-work philosophy.

Tess Tiernan, Executive Director of Skills for Tomorrow High School
welcomes PTAN members to the school.

Andre Koen, Skills for Tomorrow High School (SFTHS) Service Learning Coordinator
and Tess Tiernan, SFTHS Executive Director, explain the service and internship program
of the school to PTAN members, including Bill Moore, Local 696 President, and Patricia Moore, Local 696.

Mary Hardiman, IBT Education Director, Hugo Morris, Director of Public Affairs -
Joint Council 42, Ed Rendon, Director of Education - Local 63 and Dotty Malinsky,
IBT Vice President share a laugh with a Skills for Tomorrow High School student.

Ken Wood, President - Local 79 and IBT Vice President and Dr. George DiPilato,
President -Local 502 listen to a Skills for Tomorrow student share his story about
how he came to this Teamster sponsored charter school and what a difference
it has made in his life.