Trident Workforce Investment Board Prepares One Stop Career System Students for Careers in Manufacturing

Charleston, SC, May 29, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Eight students celebrated their success after completing the Trident Workforce Investment Board’s Manufacturing Certification Training Program. Since its inception in November 2006, 119 students have completed this training program to prepare them for careers in the manufacturing industry. Each received a Manufacturing Readiness Certificate from Trident Technical College.

According to Trident Workforce Investment Board Executive Director Paul L. Connerty, “The Trident Workforce Investment Board’s Manufacturing Certification Training Program is an excellent example of the board’s commitment to investing in the development of a competent and qualified workforce, and helping local businesses meet their need for skilled workers.”

Dan Grigg, Trident One Stop Career System Workforce Specialist responsible for recruiting candidates for the training program says, “This program, is designed with the help of local manufacturers, incorporates the skills with the aptitudes workers need and businesses want their workers to know.”

Immediately following the graduation ceremony, graduates interviewed with representatives from Belied, SAIC/EMA, Stanley Associates, Global, and Vought Aircraft Industries.

“We have already hired five past graduates of the Manufacturing Certification Training Program for varying positions at SAIC/EMA. They possessed a good work ethic, exhibited the attention to detail we require in our industry, and were prepared and ready for work,” said Kent Selby, Production Manager, CAEI Tactical Vehicle Integration at SAIC/EMA. “We appreciate the efforts of the Trident One Stop Career System in coordinating this program. They are proactive in improving the skills levels of our workforce. That’s what drew me to the program.”

The Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWIB) oversees the Trident One Stop Career System using Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds to pay for the manufacturing training. In addition to acquiring skilled workers through this program, companies can receive a wage reimbursement of up to 75% of the worker’s wage while they continue their training on the job.

The program is designed to provide entry level job skills to individuals interested in careers in the manufacturing sector. The training consists of four weeks of classroom instruction. The classes are held Monday through Friday at Trident Technical College’s main campus. Candidates must undergo a background check, have completed high school or their GED, and achieve successful scores in Mathematics, Reading for Information, Locating Information and Observation on the WorkKeys® skills assessment test.

The mission of the Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWIB) is to develop the region’s workforce by providing high quality workforce development programs and services to its customers. To accomplish this mission, it created a market driven and user-friendly workforce system investing workforce funding to recruit, prepare, and train workers with the skills needed to support existing industry and attract new industry to the tri-county region.

The TWIB provides funding for the Trident One Stop Career System. The Trident One Stop Career System is a nationally recognized workforce development system staffed by some of the best trained workforce professionals in the nation. The Trident One Stop Career Center is located at 1930 Hanahan Road in North Charleston. Satellite Centers are located in Moncks Corner, Summerville, and Charleston.

For more information on available services and programs or to find the center nearest to you, call 843-574-1800 or TTY 711. An Equal Opportunity Employer Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities, upon request.

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