http://www.goupstate.com/article/20120512/ARTICLES/205121005/1027/OPINION?p=2&tc=pg
“We’ve got to have a plan in place to build a pipeline,” Forrester said. “People still think of manufacturing as dirty jobs. … I think they would be blown away by the robotics and cleanliness of facilities. Everything is automated now. Kids can make a fantastic career out of it.”
Forrester noted a number of programs that are being rolled out at the state and local levels to address workforce issues.
One program allows students to work for a company while still in school and gain experience. In return, the company pays the student’s tuition.
Another is an apprenticeship program that incentivizes employers for training workers for “next-level” jobs.
Forrester said the possibilities are almost endless with ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate program, which is available in South Carolina and 39 other states.
He also has looked into a program implemented in Georgia that seeks to make citizens of communities “work-ready.” He said the state has applied for a grant for the program.
“It’s a great economic development tool,” Forrester said.
SEW Eurodrive Inc. of Lyman is one company that reported it is having difficulty filling the new positions due to what they said is a lack of talent in the local job market.
“We are still having trouble (filling our needs),” said Chuck Chandler, assistant plant manager at SEW-Eurodrive. “There just aren’t enough people here with the training to support the needs of existing companies and the new companies coming in. It’s a problem with infrastructure. We’ve had to do some hiring from out-of-state.”
The company voiced their concerns to state Sen. Lee Bright, R-Spartanburg, who toured the facility recently.
“You hear so much from special interest groups,” said Bright. “There’s not enough discussion between companies and the people who are supposed to be representing them in Columbia. There’s money being spent, but not enough discussion … about what they really need.”
“We’ve got to have a plan in place to build a pipeline,” Forrester said. “People still think of manufacturing as dirty jobs. … I think they would be blown away by the robotics and cleanliness of facilities. Everything is automated now. Kids can make a fantastic career out of it.”
Forrester noted a number of programs that are being rolled out at the state and local levels to address workforce issues.
One program allows students to work for a company while still in school and gain experience. In return, the company pays the student’s tuition.
Another is an apprenticeship program that incentivizes employers for training workers for “next-level” jobs.
Forrester said the possibilities are almost endless with ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate program, which is available in South Carolina and 39 other states.
He also has looked into a program implemented in Georgia that seeks to make citizens of communities “work-ready.” He said the state has applied for a grant for the program.
“It’s a great economic development tool,” Forrester said.
SEW Eurodrive Inc. of Lyman is one company that reported it is having difficulty filling the new positions due to what they said is a lack of talent in the local job market.
“We are still having trouble (filling our needs),” said Chuck Chandler, assistant plant manager at SEW-Eurodrive. “There just aren’t enough people here with the training to support the needs of existing companies and the new companies coming in. It’s a problem with infrastructure. We’ve had to do some hiring from out-of-state.”
The company voiced their concerns to state Sen. Lee Bright, R-Spartanburg, who toured the facility recently.
“You hear so much from special interest groups,” said Bright. “There’s not enough discussion between companies and the people who are supposed to be representing them in Columbia. There’s money being spent, but not enough discussion … about what they really need.”
Johnnie-Lynn Crosby, regional business service manager for SC Works Upstate, said her agency is familiar with the issue and has been busy circumventing the problem by building “business consortiums.”
The agency forms partnerships between companies that have similar workforce needs and then implements programs that yield workers with the right technical skills for the jobs, she said.
“There are many different programs available,” Crosby said. “We’re working to strengthen collaboration and teamwork and are always looking for more employers to join our team. We need to hear from companies about their needs so we can form the right partnerships … This is important in making sure the Upstate remains attractive to employers.”
Summer Caudill, 27, of Spartanburg said she has been frustrated in her search for a job but is encouraged to see leaders working to install programs that give jobseekers an opportunity to gain the skills they need for the positions they want.
“I think that is excellent,” Caudill said. “You can’t expect to fill positions if you don’t have a crop of applicants with the right skills. I think it really helps people to know that somebody cares and they can go out there and get the training they need.”
Adrian Hines, 19, of Spartanburg said he believes a push to improve the skills of local applicants will benefit everyone.
“There’s so much competition out there right now (for jobs),” Hines said. “It would be extremely beneficial because it would give people the training and education they need. Apprenticeship programs and others like it are great because they help you get a foot in the door. It gives you motivation. That’s what most people need — a chance to get in there, meet employers in person and show what they can do. Experience isn’t always the best barometer for how good an employee will be. Sometimes a desire and willingness to learn are just as important.”
For more information, visit: www.workforcesouthcarolina.com.
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