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Job Corps course title: Transportation Communications Union Advanced Clerical (TCU). Training in transportation based fields of employment as well as in other advanced clerical skills are taught in this course. Many TCU graduates are also placed as reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks make and confirm reservations for passengers and sell tickets for transportation agencies such as airlines, bus companies, railroads and steamship lines.
On the job, shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks verify and keep records on incoming and outgoing shipments. Prepare items for shipment.
General office clerk duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of bookkeeping, typing, stenography, office machine operation, and filing.
Shipping, receiving and traffic clerks can work indoors and outdoors. Working conditions depend on the type of employer. Clerks employed in new shipping centers or large department stores usually work in comfortable areas that are air conditioned, well-heated and lighted. Those clerks who work in large warehouses can (depending on the weather) experience uncomfortable temperatures.
Most General Office Clerks work in well-lit, nicely furnished air-conditioned offices. If you are a new General Office Clerk, your employer will usually assign you basic things to do which could make the job seem routine and repetitive.
Most reservation and ticket agents work at transportation terminals either serving behind the ticket counter or at the boarding gate. They may announce arrivals and departures, reschedule passengers or process routine claims. Agents may be required to load and unload baggage and to conduct air freight business. Jobs in this field are competitive. Most turnover occurs at entry-level positions. Employment is sensitive to cyclical swings in the economy and customer discretionary income. Agents typically work a 40-hour week with at least two consecutive days off. They may be assigned to any of various shifts.
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After gaining the necessary experience, a general office clerk in a large firm may be promoted to a more specialized or more responsible job such as clerk- typist, bookkeeper, receptionist, secretary, or clerical supervisor. In small offices, a clerk may receive increased pay for added duties. If they have the ability and the necessary qualifications, clerks may promote to office manager, department supervisor, or another position. In order to promote to professional jobs you may be required to complete certain college level classes.
Promotional opportunities for shipping and receiving clerks are better in big companies and depend on proven skill and ability. A typical promotion ladder is to shipping and receiving supervisor, warehouse manager and then to traffic rate clerk. Chances for more advancement are better for workers who continue to improve their skills and pick up other skills.
Statewide: In the next few years, opportunities for general office clerks will come mostly from the increase in the number of small businesses and the high turnover rate in this occupation. There will also be an increased number of jobs for temporary work during busy business seasons.
Many firms now use computers to handle their shipping and receiving operations and use better mechanical equipment to move orders. These changes may slow down job growth for shipping and receiving clerks, but the demand for clerks hasn't seemed to slow down as certain duties can't be automated. There are generally more job applicants than job openings, and competition is tough; applicants with not much experience can have a hard time finding a job.
Employment of reservations agents is sensitive to cyclical swings in the economy and customer discretionary income. Periodic declines in air travel during recessionary periods and crises overseas tend to force airlines to reduce the number of flights; this can also result in the need for fewer agents. The stabilization of industry mergers and consolidations, along with debt structure acquired in any acquisitions, amount of expansion by surviving carriers, fuel cost escalation, and general economic conditions are all contributing factors to the availability of job opportunities.
Santa Clara County
Entry Level/No Experience |
Median
$10.00 |
Low
$6.25 |
High
$17.00 |
To enroll in this San Jose Job Corps Course: GED/HS diploma. Must be 17-and-a-half years old, have completed a Job Corps basic office skills course, and have a GED certificate or high school diploma.
Job specific skills: Should be friendly, courteous and efficient. They need good communication skills, the ability to work with details and perform basic computer functions. Additionally, their work requires standing for long periods and lifting luggage, some up to 100 pounds.
Shipping and Receiving Clerks must write correctly and spell accurately, and they must have a good memory. Employers prefer applicants with a high school education including courses in typing, business arithmetic and other business courses. Some employers require clerical experience and the ability to use standard office machines. A valid driver's license is required by some employers. Employers may prefer workers who are familiar with certain types of business operations such as retail or manufacturing.
They also may want workers with knowledge of different shipping methods such as U.S. postal and private parcel post service, air freight, railroad, and trucking. Some companies may require a physical examination.
General office clerks usually have a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers look for the ability to do accurate work, as well as for skill in using word processors, personal computers, typewriters, calculators, and copying machines. It is important that you become skilled in operating several different kinds of office equipment.
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