SPCC receives $75,000 grant to create Anson-Union Workforce Mobilization Project

South Piedmont Community College has received a $75,000 grant from the North Carolina Rural Center to create an Anson-Union Workforce Mobilization Project that will, among other things, have paid internships with local manufacturers, provide gas cards for some who travel long distances to take classes and provide tuition vouchers for qualified students.

The Anson-Union Workforce Mobilization Project is designed to prepare displaced workers for jobs, especially in advanced manufacturing such as CNC machining, industrial maintenance and aerospace. The project will provide, as needed, GED preparation, adult basic skills and overviews of advanced manufacturing careers with related education/training requirements and job expectations. The Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) skills development and testing program will also be used to assure employers that workers have basic workplace skills in reading, math and locating information.

SPCC is collaborating with the Centralina Regional Workforce Development Board and JobLink offices in both counties, as well as industry partners Columbus McKinnon, Berry Plastics, Tyson Foods, Goodrich Corporation and Turbomeca on the project.

Anson County has the highest unemployment rate in the Centralina region, while Union County has the lowest. Nevertheless, Union County’s construction industry was hit hard when the economy began to sour. Union County does have a broad base of manufacturers who do have jobs, but who are unable to find applicants with the required skill sets. In addition, the impending retirement of many baby boomers will further deplete the skilled work force. In 2008, workers 55 and older made up 18.3 percent of the state’s labor force.

A major goal of the project is increased collaboration that brings the partners together to create a workforce that responds to local industry needs. This should be achieved by ensuring that displaced workers learn skill sets and are provided other qualifications to help ensure that local manufacturers can compete in today’s global economy.

During the project year, which begins this month, the partners in this project will attempt to:

• Develop a community process to identify, screen and serve at least 160 displaced workers with interest/aptitudes for advanced machining, industrial maintenance and aerospace.

• Develop a paid internship program to remove a major hiring barrier for 40 of these participants who complete training, but have no industry-related work experience.

• Ensure all project participants have at least a high school education.

• Expand by 50 the number of residents in Anson and Union counties who are registered in the state’s CRC database.

The internships will average four weeks at 20 to 30 hours per week of actual work experience with an employer who agrees to provide on-site instruction and supervision as well as consideration for jobs that become available.

Transportation assistance can be provided for residents of either county who drive 40 miles or more, round-trip, to classes. Participants will be able to apply to receive gas cards to help defray the cost of traveling to attend SPCC classes in advanced manufacturing in Monroe.

Participants who complete basic level coursework and enroll in advanced coursework will also be able to apply for $300 tuition vouchers.
Companies that need highly skilled manufacturing workers and would like to provide internships can call Todd Morris at 704-246-0971 or t-morris@spcc.edu (Union County) or Derek James at 704-272-5443 or d-james@spcc.edu ( Anson County).

Anyone, including current students, wishing to take part in the program should contact Russell Carpenter at 704-246-0964 or rcarpenter@spcc.edu or Mike Willard at 704-290-5856 or mwillard@spcc.edu.

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Media inquiries: Rosemary Britt, 704-272-5342, rbritt@spcc.edu