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# Santa Monica College and Santa Monica Place job program wins industry award
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/011902-story/
- Published: 2002-01-19T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T23:58:21.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

A joint Santa Monica College-Santa Monica Place program that provided job skills training to mall employees, job placement and referrals, and career counseling to the general public has won an international shopping center industry award.

The MAXI award was given in the “Retailer Development” category for a collaborative, multi-pronged program that “produced impressive results,” according to Santa Monica Place officials. The two-year program was run jointly by the shopping center and SMC’s office of workforce and economic development.

“Santa Monica Place has greatly benefited from this program in terms of increased competitiveness, productivity and community goodwill,” said Santa Monica Place marketing manager Michelle Malynn.

Specifically, the program trained 230 Santa Monica Place merchants and retail employees in such topics as customer service, cultural sensitivity (the mall attracts shoppers from all over the world), and conflict resolution.

Through an SMC resource center located in the mall, the program provided referrals for employment, training and support services to local residents. The resource center also provided information about SMC to the public.

It also helped job seekers get employment through career fairs and pre-employment workshops.

The program, which ended last June, was funded by a $300,000 economic development grant from the California Community Colleges’ Chancellor’s Office. Local car dealer makes it to the hall of fame By Daily Press staff

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 19, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/011902.pdf?ref=smdp.com)