News for Your Company from Tri-County Technical College Fall 2013
From the President
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t least once a day I find myself in discussions about the quality of the workforce in South Carolina. Are we doing all we can to prepare our students for the current and future demands of the world of work? How do we meet the need for new and more technically-capable employees in a world where we continually experience radical and rapid shifts in Dr. Ronnie L. Booth systems and techniques?
What’s Inside
Our task is doable, but not easy. To meet current and future workforce needs, we must fundamentally change the way we go about educating our students.
readySC™ Conducts Training for McLaughlin Body 2 ARC Grant Adds Welding Booths at ITC 2 Adex Machining Technologies Praises CNC Program
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Ted Stokes Receives Adjunct Faculty Award 3
We are fortunate in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties to have a group focused on the issue of developing the workforce. The Partnership for Academic & Career Education (PACE) is made up of our seven local school superintendents in the threecounty area, our Regional Education Center, staff from Tri-County Technical College, and representatives from local businesses and industries. This group is focused on finding new ways to introduce middle and high school students to the many technically-advanced, high-wage career opportunities that require less than a four-year college degree. As a result of many hours of conversation, background work, group brainstorming, and trial and error, we are on track to see real change in our service area in the near future. We have taken our successful dual credit program, which historically has focused on high school students enrolling in university transfer courses during their senior year, and expanded the model to include a dual credit career pathway leading to a technical degree. This fall we are (Continued on page 4)
Dr. Booth, middle, joined county, community, and State leaders as they gathered to cut the ribbon for the new Tri-County Technical College QuickJobs Development Center located across from the Anderson Campus.
College Opens QuickJobs Center In Anderson
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ri-County Technical College held a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony October 11 in Anderson for a QuickJobs Development Center dedicated to preparing an advanced workforce to meet the needs of area manufacturers.
This is the College’s third QuickJobs Development Center for its three-county service area. Others are located at the Oconee Campus at the Hamilton Career Center in Seneca and at the Easley Campus. The Centers also are home to the SC Works Centers which offer job seekers and businesses access to employment and training opportunities. During the ceremony, officials praised the collaborative efforts of Anderson County, the College, S.C. Department of Commerce, and SC Works of Anderson in bringing the Center to fruition. “It’s all about coming together to help make the community a better place,” said President Ronnie (Continued on page 4)
ARC Funds Welding at ITC
readySC™ Conducts Training for McLaughlin Body
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$250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will add 24 new welding booths and equipment at the Industrial Technology Center (ITC), allowing the College to expand enrollment in one of its fastest-growing technical programs.
“Our total enrollment for the Welding program is 120 students total between day and evening,” said Paul Phelps, welding program coordinator. “This grant will allow us to expand our program to accept 48 more students and funding to purchase most of the welding equipment needed for instruction. Matching funds will supply the remainder of the welding equipment and all installation costs, including special ventilation and piping of the potentially hazardous gases.” This grant gives the ITC the capacity for 72 booths by next semester. “We appreciate the ARC funding. Individual weld booths and equipment are essential for each student,” he said. “This program is very hands on and reliant on equipment—we need more than a desk and a chair.” “This facility, along with the expansion, gives students better scheduling options,” said Phelps. “At Pendleton we were at capacity and therefore had limited scheduling options. Now we can offer more class sections at desired times. Now there are options for everyone.” Impact is published three times each year by the Office of the President and the Public Relations Department. Campus Contact Information P.O. Box 587, Pendleton, SC 29760 Pendleton Campus..................864-646-8361 Anderson Campus...................864-260-6700 Easley Campus............................ 864-220-8000 Oconee Campus........................ 864-886-4555 Toll-Free (864 area code).... 1-866-269-5677 TDD/Voice............................ 1-800-735-2905 Website ..................................... www.tctc.edu
cLaughlin Body Company, based in Moline, Illinois, since 1902, recently expanded to Anderson County and is recruiting current and future workforce needs through readySC™ training and Tri-County welding graduates. McLaughlin Body Company is a manufacturer of operator protection systems, including cab enclosures and metal components for construction, military, agriculture and other heavy-duty vehicles. The company is the first supplier of the new Caterpillar facility in Georgia to locate in South Carolina. One of the deciding factors in choosing Anderson as a location was the availability of skilled labor and the strength of Tri-County Technical College, said Randy Frederick, general manager of McLaughlin, located on Old Pearman Dairy Road. “Anderson is a good place to locate,” he added. Company officials narrowed locations down to six communities in South Carolina and Georgia and visited each one. He said the company got serious about this area after the College’s readySC™ Director Bobby Brothers and staff gave a “strong presentation” about conducting pre- and post-hire training for their potential workforce. “That sold us,” he said Brothers believes readySC™ stands out because of its continued commitment to providing customer-driven training at no cost for new and expanding industries. “It’s the greatest resource we have,” said Brothers of the program which is funded through the State to provide customized pre- and post-employment training—at no cost to the employer—for new and expanding industries.
Justin Kunkle is a student in the readySC™ class for McLaughlin Body.
and expended totally independent of the College’s budget. McLaughlin is looking to hire 150 – 175 welders for Phase I of 250 employees. “We’re not looking for the first 10 welders to hire. We want a steady pipeline of employees, and between readySC™ training and Tri-County, we can do that,” said Frederick. The company’s pre-hire class (30 hours) was designed in concert with readySC™ who also will conduct the post-hiring class, which is close to 80 hours. “We expect to hire 250 employees in the next five years, including welders, assemblers, and painters,” he said. Frederick added that the new Industrial Technology Center also influenced their decision to come to Anderson. “It’s what we were looking for.” For more information, contact Bobby Brothers at 646-1442 or bbrother@tctc.edu.
The program is supported 100 percent by State funds, which are appropriated
Tri-County Technical College does not discriminate in admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, qualifying disability, veteran’s status, or national origin.
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Ted Stokes Receives Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award
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or Schneider Electric Engineering Manager Ted Stokes, teaching evening classes is a way to give back—to help students discover their talents and hone their skills, as former instructors and colleagues did for him when he started his career. “I enjoy the contact with people and giving back by sharing the lessons I’ve learned working in industry over the years,” said Stokes, who has taught evening classes in the Industrial ElectronTed Stokes, standing, is pictured in class with Industrial Electronics Technology major Scott Alexander, of Easley. ics Technology (IET) program for 17 years and has served on the IET Advisory Committee for more than 15 years. Earlier this year, he received the College’s 2013 It was then he began working at SchneiAdjunct Faculty Presidential Award. This der Electric (Square D) in Seneca and award is given annually at the spring teaching as an evening adjunct. “I know faculty/staff convocation to the adjunct first hand the value of a two-year faculty member who is recognized for degree,” said Ted. “I know the value of excellence in teaching, who has consishands-on experience and the practical tently high student evaluations, and who and theoretical knowledge the students supports the philosophy and goals of the gain. This equips them for the real-world College. jobs at places like Schneider Electric. In my PLC and AC/DC Machines classes, I Instructor Ron Talley said, “In a rapidly try to teach the technical and soft skllls changing environment, new technolrequired to be a good employee. That ogy emerges several times a year. Ted includes being on time, having good atStokes has been an excellent instructor tendance, the right attitude, and good and advisory committee member, who is work habits. They also must be able to helping to keep our curriculum relevant. work in diverse teams, each person doing Adjuncts in our area, especially of his his or her part to work toward a comcaliber, are very difficult to come by due mon goal. You must be a lifelong learner to industry demands and high compensain today’s technical world, always seeking tion. The fact that Ted has been serving knowledge and keeping up with the latest our community for as long as he has is developments.” because he loves teaching.” He says he’s always looking for talent Ted himself was an evening student at when teaching. Many of his former Aiken Technical College in the 1980s and students are now Schneider Electric earned a two-year degree in Electronics employees. “I see how they perform in Technology from Catonsville Community class and recognize their potential. Some College while on an assignment with Duof our best technicians and specialists Pont in Baltimore, Maryland. He spent are Tri-County grads. I’m thankful to be 13 years working as a Power Equipment part of Tri-County Technical College. It’s Operator, Electrical Technician, Control a college that I know is transforming lives System Engineer, and Support Manager in and making our community better. I see industry before moving his family to the it every work day.” tri-county area and earning a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University in 1995.
Adex Praises CNC Program
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ngineering and Production Leader Charles Anthony wasn’t sure how long it would take to fill several Computer Numeric Control (CNC) operator positions at ADEX Machining Technologies, a Greenvillebased company that provides valueadded prototype and production machining services for aerospace, defense, and energy industries. This past summer he was specifically looking for handson CNC (advanced machining) technicians who have critical thinking skills, along with the ability to work effectively in teams. Anthony says found exactly whom he was looking for after visiting with instructor John Norris and touring the CNC lab. This year, the College launched a new program, the first in the State exclusively targeted to CNC programming and operations with an engineering graphics component. Following the visit, Norris received an e-mail from Thomas Prince, ADEX value stream leader, who stated, The direction you are taking your program is definitely what ADEX needs to see and will benefit us as well as others in the industry who are having a tough time finding qualified applicants.” Three recent graduates have joined the ADEX team. “We appreciate the good talent you are sending our way—believe me, I think ADEX is coming out ahead in this partnership,” said Sean Witty, president/CFO of ADEX Machining Technologies. For more information, contact John Norris at 646-1330 or jnorris1@tctc.edu. 3
QuickJobs… (Continued from page 1) Booth. “This is important for the College and the county. My definition of a good citizen is a well-employed citizen.” The 5,847-square-foot-building houses classrooms and a large space for labs, in addition to office space for SC Works. The facility is funded by a $500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission through the S.C. Department of Commerce. The QuickJobs Development Center is operated by the College, and instructors from the Corporate and Community Education Division will teach QuickJobs training courses, such as AmerTeresa Young, operations manager for the ican Heart AssoCorporate and Community Education Division, is ciation Certipictured with AFCO President Andreas Abbing in fication, Law a QuickJobs classroom. Enforcement and Private Security programs, Office and Medical Office Skills Certifications, CDL Class A and B (Truck Driver Training), Chemical Industry Training, Heavy Equipment Operator Training (sponsored by Blanchard Machinery), South Carolina Manufacturing Certification, WorkKeys Testing and more. In addition, the Center will offer customized training for area businesses and industries. A key ingredient that sold Anderson County Council Chair Francis Crowder on the Quickjobs Development Center was the potential to bring new business and industry to the area. “Through a partnership with Tri-County Technical College, Anderson County stepped up and was the applicant for the grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Governor’s Office and the Department of Commerce. It was good process that was unanimously approved by council,” he said. “Job seekers cannot maintain status quo,” said Ronnie Allen, executive director of WorkLink Workforce Investment Board (WIB). “They need a higher skills set to meet employer needs. The WIB executive committee put in a new service delivery model and now SC Works and WIA will locate to a more cost effective and efficient place here,” he said. “We will offer comprehensive services to employers and job seekers. WorkLink and Tri-County have a hand-in-glove fit. SC Works offers career development services and Tri-County offers jobs skills courses. The goal is for all unemployed workers to be self sustainable when they leave here.” For more information, contact Dr. Brian Swords at 220-8881 or bswords@tctc.edu. 4
Let Us Help You Find Your Next Great Hire
At the end of the semester, a new group of highly skilled employees entered the job market. Our graduates are in great demand by area employers, so don’t wait any longer to identify potential new hires for your company. Let our Career Services Office assist you in finding the right person to meet your employment needs. Contact Glenn Hellenga in Career Services at 646-1585 or ghelleng@tctc.edu. NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
P.O. Box 587, Highway 76 Pendleton, South Carolina 29670
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GREENVILLE, SC 29602 PERMIT NO. 263
Dr. Booth…
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piloting such a program on our Anderson Campus in conjunction with Anderson District Three. By the time these students graduate from high school, they will have a Basic Electronics certificate from Tri-County. This certificate will enable these students to immediately enter the workforce with marketable skills and/or continue at Tri-County to earn an associate degree in Industrial Electronics or Mechatronics. Similarly, we have entered into a partnership with the School District of Pickens County to teach the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) certificate for select high school students, and we plan to expand the technical career pathways model to other school districts next year. Creating technical career pathways takes a strong commitment and meticulous planning on the part of public school and college officials, with input from local industry partners. Our PACE Board believes we are moving in the right direction, and we are convinced we will be successful in using this strategy to prepare more and more young people for the high-skills, high-wage jobs of now and the future.
Ronnie L. Booth, Ph.D. President