AAA Utah is offering free one-week training courses in Salt Lake City to Hurricane Katrina evacuees interested in becoming tow truck operators or road service technicians.

To sign up for a class, any displaced Katrina victim can call 1-800-421-5819.

"This is our way of helping people get back on their feet," said AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough. "Now that these victims are out of harm's way, they need a way to make a living and support their families. We intend to help provide them with that opportunity."

Fairclough said there is high demand for trained tow truck operators throughout Northern California, Nevada and Utah, with hundreds of jobs going unfilled. Tow truck operators can make between $40,000 and $50,000 annually, according to AAA Utah.

Participants also will be given $500 for attending the training class. Upon completion, AAA Utah will offer job placement assistance.