Impact Spring 2017 by Gayle Arries

News for Your Company from Tri-County Technical College Spring 2017

From the President

Milestone Reached In Industry Training

en years ago, TriCounty Technical College reached a significant milestone when we opened the doors to our first community campus —the Anderson Campus on Michelin Boulevard in Anderson. Dr. Ronnie L. Booth

What’s Inside

In addition to credit programs like Industrial Electronics, we offer courses specifically designed to meet locally-identified workforce needs and shortages, as well as customized training for local industries. In 2013 we expanded our footprint and opened the QuickJobs Development Center to accommodate additional demand for programs like Commercial Truck Driving and Heavy Equipment Operation. The QuickJobs Center also houses the SC Works Center for Anderson County, and our co-location helps students transition from unemployment to scholarships for QuickJobs training.

New Manufacturing Pathway Prepares Students for Jobs

This Campus also is where we started our highly successful Technical Career Pathways (TCP) program with seven students who completed a TCTC Basic Electronics Certificate before they graduated from high school. Today, well over 100 high schools students are enrolled in TCP in all seven school districts in the College’s service area. The vast majority of students continue after high school graduation to earn an associate degree in a technical field at Tri-County. 2

Wastewater Training 2 SCMC Class Changes Lives

SCMC Ranks Third Nationwide 3 EGT Gets New Name 4

We have much to celebrate, and even more to look forward to. Most significant will be our partnership with the new Anderson Institute of Technology that will serve high school students in Anderson School Districts Three, Four, and Five. What essentially amounts to co-location of our facilities will allow students to move seamlessly between high school classes and college classes in one high-quality, integrated educational experience at the same location. Close proximity also will increase opportunities for students to participate in our Technical Career Continued on page 2

The 10th anniversary celebration of the College’s Anderson Campus included the launch of a pilot Manufacturing Scholars Program with Michelin North America designed to build and grow the workforce of the future. Following the announcement, Mr. Bib made an appearance and joined Melanie McLane, facility personnel manager for Michelin’s manufacturing facilities in Anderson County, standing, and Dr. Booth on stage.

Michelin, Tri-County Announce New Partnership

ri-County and Michelin North America announced the launch of a pilot Manufacturing Scholars Program March 27 designed to build and grow the workforce of the future.

“We are excited to launch our pilot of the Michelin Manufacturing Scholar program alongside our TriCounty Technical College partners,” said Melanie McLane, facility personnel manager for Michelin’s manufacturing facilities in Anderson County. “It is the first of its kind in the State and will serve as a model for the other Michelin plants and technical colleges in South Carolina,” added Dr. Booth. The program will begin Fall Semester 2017. The new Michelin Manufacturing Scholars program is designed for entry-level manufacturing professionals Continued on page 4

Dr. Booth

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Pathways program. Slated to open in 2019, we have the opportunity to create a model of technical education collaboration for South Carolina and the rest of the country. For ten years, the Anderson Campus has played a key role in helping the College to fulfill its mission to support economic development by preparing a highly-skilled workforce. We look forward to continuing to positively impact the stability of our communities and economic growth in South Carolina.

Ronnie L. Booth, Ph.D. President

Wastewater Training

icensed Wastewater and Water Operators must complete 12 hours of Continuing Education prior to June 30, 2017, to retain their licensure.

Tri-County Technical College’s Center for Workforce Excellence will be offering two more opportunities to earn CEUs before the deadline. To register or for more information, contact the Corporate and Community Education Division at 864-646-1700. 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

New Manufacturing Pathway Prepares Students for Jobs

ast August the College launched the initial phase of the first of four I-BEST career pathway programs. Designed as a collaborative partnership with area Adult Education Centers, the I-BEST Manufacturing Pathway program offers unprecedented opportunities for under-resourced adults to earn college credit, national certifications, and WorkKeys credentials at the gold or platinum levels.

In January, the I-BEST Manufacturing Pathway program launched its Level 2 component. Andrew Pruitt says when he read the course description, “It was like they made the course just for me.” Unable to find a full-time job, Andrew had a series of part-time, minimum-wage jobs that he found unfulfilling. Andrew met with the Technical Skills for Success (TSS) staff before enrolling in the classes. He admits he was a bit skeptical. “But they made me a believer. They proved themselves from day one,” he said. “I knew they cared about my success. I knew I was in the right place.” The course is offered free of charge, thanks to special, State-funded workforce development funding. Students enroll in the two college courses in Level 2 of the Pathway at no charge for tuition, books, or even a parking decal, but they must cover their own costs for transportation and child care. Diana Walter, director of Technical Skills for Success (TSS) at Tri-County, said, “This is a pathway, so it’s not just about getting a quick job, it’s about gaining skills and capacity that will take you further. The goal is an associate degree for each and every student, in time. At Andrew Pruitt first, though, it’s about meaningful skills and certifications in just one semester—then students work their plan by being placed in full-time employment or continuing their studies, or by combining work and study.” With support from their instructors, as well as College staff, students will learn how to advance their careers in manufacturing with additional education and understand the type of job performance employers value—and reward, said Walter. Just two months into the semester, Andrew secured a new job at Oconee Machine and Tool. He will be working 20 – 25 hours a week while attending classes. During the interview, he said he talked about his commitment to the class and to college. He was hired on the spot and began working at the end of February. He will enter the Manufacturing 102 course in the summer and continue at Oconee Machine and Tool, learning on the job while continuing to take classes leading to a CNC degree. “The major manufacturers are looking for the best people they can get. Our goal is to make people more competitive in the employment process, to ultimately make better employees who are promotable and will stay and make a career out of manufacturing, and at the same time, make a good life for themselves and their families,” said Walter. For more information, contact Julianne Dicicco-Wiles at 864-646-1596 or jdicicco@tctc.edu. 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.

SCMC Class Changes Lives

SCMC Ranks Third Nationwide

ince 2013, more than 500 area individuals have enrolled in the South Carolina Manufacturing Certification (SCMC) training program that has been called an answer to the serious workforce skills gap that has left businesses and industries without a pipeline of the skilled workers needed in today’s rapidly-changing economy.

ver the last decade, 29-year-old Devin Williams has worked as a camp counselor, a sales clerk in retail, and a waitress in restaurants—all minimum-wage jobs that had her struggling weekly to make ends meet for her and her two children in the small town of Bossier City, Louisiana. “I was always just getting by with no clear path or options to move forward,” said Devin.

The opportunity for gainful employment finally changed when she and her husband, Harvey, moved to Seneca and discovered the South Carolina Manufacturing Certification (SCMC) class taught though the College’s Corporate and Community Education Division. “Our lives will change for the better because of this course,” Devin said of the 10-week SCMC program, a quick, yet comprehensive training route for individuals seeking to enhance their skills and to secure full-time employment as operators in manufacturing. “The SCMC certificate gives applicants a leg up and many employers consider it to be equivalent to a year of industry experience,” said Ron Humphries, associate program director for the Center for Workforce Excellence at Tri-County. Devin and Harvey are pursuing four credentials including safety awareness, quality assurance, production processes, and maintenance awareness. Those who earn all four credentials receive a Certified Production Technician certificate. For Harvey, it’s a chance to gain the knowledge and skills he needs to provide for his family. He and Devin have three children. When he graduated from college, he worked on an offshore pipeline. “But an offshore oil field job is a young man’s job,” he said. They moved to the Upstate after learning about industry leaders recruiting individuals with electrical and mechanical skills needed for today’s workplace. Harvey visited SC Works, looking for a full-time job with benefits. “They told me about MSSC, a great opportunity to earn national certifications at no charge to those who qualify for scholarships.” Both received scholarships and enrolled in the class which runs from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Devin works as an operator at a local plant from 3:30 – 11:30 p.m., and Harvey recently was hired at BMW. “Those of us in class will be the frontrunners for jobs when we graduate. We are learning the skills needed to do the jobs local companies are looking for. The instructors want us to succeed. Coming here was the best move I’ve made. It was a game changer,” he said.

Recently a report released by the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) ranked Tri-County third nationwide for individuals trained at testing centers. The College has awarded a total of 2,236 credentials. SC ranks fifth in the nation among the 30 states that offer these programs. MSSC’s M& L Certification Index is a data-based resource that companies and state agencies can consider in their decision of where to locate a new plant or distribution center. The availability of a robust pipeline of highly-skilled workers is a key factor in these decisions. A substantial number of MSSC certified technicians is a solid indicator of the commitment of that location to filling that pipeline. The SCMC training is a 200-hour curriculum that includes the opportunity to earn 11 nationally-recognized credentials. Topics include industrial safety, quality, blueprints and measurement, production processes, and some basic understanding of industrial equipment and maintenance. Participants may earn an OSHA 10-hour safety card, a Lean Six Sigma yellow belt certification, and national MSSC credentials in safety, quality, production systems and maintenance awareness which translate into stackable credentials for college credit. For more information, contact Richard Parker at 864-646-1718 or rparker@tctc.edu.

“With this program, there aren’t many excuses not to be successful,” added Devin. “Many participants have been unsuccessful, bouncing from plant to plant, but once they enter the SCMC class, it’s rewarding to watch those who are almost hopeless realize that their goals are achievable, and they can graduate and be successful,” said Katie Reeves, training coordinator/instructor for the Center for Workforce Excellence. For more information contact Katie Reeves at 646-1728 or kreeves@tctc.edu.

Michelin…

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and is a pathway leading to manufacturing careers with Michelin North America. The one-semester program is completely customized to meet the needs Michelin has for qualified entry-level manufacturing professionals at their two plants in Tri-County’s service area—US 2 in Sandy Springs and US 8 in Starr. It includes a nine-credit-hour certificate in Manufacturing and paid work hours each week at Michelin for hands-on experience. Nearly a year ago, Michelin and Tri-County officials began working together to address a skills gap Michelin faced in hiring employees for manufacturing professional careers. In response to this need, Michelin officials worked to develop this program that aligns the daily duties of the Michelin Scholar with the curriculum developed by the Tri-County team. “It is about broadening the concept of our current Michelin Technical Scholar program—expanding it by doing something new and different for manufacturing professionals while building our community and ensuring our growth,” said McLane.

Let Us Help You Find Your Next Great Hire At the end of each semester, a new group of highly skilled employees enters 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.

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“We knew our desire to build, develop, and grow the workforce of the future is a shared vision in Anderson County,” said McLane. “Michelin’s ambition is to establish similar programs at other technical colleges in proximity to our sites around the State. The expansion and further deployment potential has been a part of the overall vision as we have worked to create a program that is sustainable and expandable,” she said. “Ultimately, we have a simple goal: we want to develop the workforce of the future. By doing this, we can influence the stability of our communities, economic growth in our State, and more families can enjoy the same benefits that mine has. It’s an honor and a privilege to work for a company with a high purpose. We care about giving people everywhere a better way forward,” said McLane. For more information, contact Mandy Orzechowski at 864-646-1404 or aorzecho@tctc.edu.

EGT Gets New Name

he Engineering Graphics Technology program is getting a new name this summer. Beginning August 2017, it will be known as Engineering Design Technology to best describe what students learn and graduates do on the job.

Added to the curriculum will be an AC/DC Electronics Circuit I class, along with an Electronics Programming class. Often confused with media graphics, EGT students translate product ideas into engineering drawings and documentation using computer software. In addition, students learn how to draw mechanical parts in three dimensions and use CAD/CAM software and equipment to produce parts. Graduates are typically employed as part of a design team by manufacturing, engineering, and mechanical companies. Patty Ables

The program offers an associate degree and one certificate option.