An NIU program used in the 1970s to recruit minority workers slowly is being revived.

The “learner/trainee” program, organized by Richard Flournory, NIU affirmative action officer for civil service staff, was cut significantly in about 1975 for budgetary reasons. Flournory said NIU has re-evaluated the program and will hire at least six minorities to fill various full-time positions on campus through “learner/trainee” this semester.

The program will hire job candidates to complete a training program in departments where minorities are needed, such as technical areas and clerk positions, Flournory said. The candidates are chosen according to job qualifications, work history and education, he said.

The program provides “learner” positions, which last up to one year, and “trainee” positions, which last up to three years, Flournory said. He said the program also provides an apprenticeship program, which lasts about three years.

Flournory said that after the training periods are completed, the job candidate’s performance is evaluated. “If they aren’t working out, they can be dismissed like anyone else.” He said that in the past about 80 percent of the candidates were hired permanently.

NIU recruits minority and handicapped workers through Job Service, the Urban League and churches in areas with a large percentage of minorities, such as Aurora and Rockford, Flournory said. He said the recruits are interviewed and then narrowed down to “the best that will do the best for NIU.”

Although NIU currently supports the program, Flournory said he hopes to obtain future grants from outside the university to help the program grow. He said he has not identified possible grant sources at this time.

One of the facets in which the program was not cut in the 1970s is the “learner” program in the department of University Food Services. Julie Vincent, associate director for food services, said she has worked with job candidates since she came to the university in 1984.

“I think the program is very worthwhile, and I’m very supportive of it,” Vincent said. She said the food services program hires people with learning disabilities.

The food service learners work part-time for one semester with a special job coach, Vincent said. “Then we look at their performance and determine whether they will work out.”

She said some of the learners have a very difficult time with their training, and many do not succeed at all.