FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW MANUFACTURING TECH PROGRAM - A STEPPING STONE TO A NEW CAREER

Click here to see more photos from the Dec. 3, 2007 press conference

DANVILLE, VA, December 4, 2007 – The 18 students enrolled in the first class of Danville Community College’s new Manufacturing

Students John Baradell of Chatham, and William Dixon, John Murphy, and Sherry Logan, all of South Boston, will be among the first graduates of the 11-week program.	Left to right Travis Richardson of Sutherlin; Jenny Wall of Danville; Jeff Eanes of Danville; George Scheier of Danville; and Priscilla James of Gretna are looking forward to getting manufacturing jobs in the area.

Technician program say the program is just the ticket they need to launch new careers. In addition, employers agree that by learning these skills the students are also increasing their chances of landing one of the hundreds of new manufacturing jobs in the region.

Jeff Arnold, DCC’s Director of Business, Industry and Economic Assistance, says the 14-credit training program has been customized based upon input from area businesses.  

“The Manufacturing Technician program has been developed to allow participants an opportunity to gain a strong knowledge of the skills required by today’s manufacturers in a concise and flexible schedule, “Arnold explains. “It is in response to area industries that are requiring a higher level of skills for its operators.” 

Arnold notes the Manufacturing Technician program is an intensive one, requiring an 11-week commitment with classes held each day, Monday through Friday. Some of the courses include: Business Ethics, AC/DC Circuits, World Class Manufacturing, Key Train Remediation, Systematic Problem Solving, TekXam Certification, Applications in Mechanical Systems, Applications in Fluid Systems, Applications in Motor Control, Industrial Safety, Interpreting Engineering Drawings/Metric and Preparation for Employment.  

Denise Johnson, Human Resource Manager at Swedwood, one of the new employers expecting to start production in January 2008, says her company “stands 100 percent” behind the program. 

“The commitment that these individuals have given to complete the program is outstanding,” Johnson says. “We look forward to this class and to future classes.”

Likewise, Steve Ostasiewski, Human Resources Manager at Yorktowne Cabinetry, agrees with Johnson. 

“We support this program,” Ostasiewski says. “The core program includes the kinds of skills we need immediately. The technical skills can come later.” 

According to Laurie Moran, President of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, educating the public about the availability of manufacturing jobs, the skills required for those jobs, and the training opportunities that are available is a priority.

“This is not traditional manufacturing. A big transformation has occurred,” says Moran. “Ten individual companies came together to help with the program and then plan to hire workers from the program.”   

In addition to Swedwood and Yorktowne, Moran says other companies and organizations in the partnership include ABB, Goodyear, Knight-Celotex Fiberboard, Ennis, Arista Tubes, Essel Propack, DanChem Technologies, Inc., and Columbia Flooring. For the students, the commitment and sacrifices to complete the program were necessary especially if it meant ensuring their foot in the door to a new job opportunity.

“I stood on my head to get in this program,” says Kylett Duncan of Danville who previously worked in retail establishments. “This has been a good experience. We all work as a team and we get so much support from industries and from the college. You couldn’t ask for a better program or better group of people.” 

Michael Dixon of South Boston agrees he’s had to do what’s necessary to find a “career”, not just a job in this area. Although he has a degree in education and is completing a master’s degree in special education, he says the job offers in education were not coming his way. 

“I have driven 83 miles north and south for teaching positions. I have to prepare myself for any level of employment,” Dixon says. “When I saw the ad from DCC about this program, it was no question for me. This program will help me to find a career right here in my area. I will be better prepared for industry and management areas.”

Jenny Wall of Danville, the mother of five, believes the program is for everyone.

 “Nothing has not stopped me in this program. If anything, I have gained more confidence in myself,” Wall says. “We have been a good team and I am looking forward to a new career.”

 William Stapp of Whitmell, who owned his own industrial maintenance business for 17 years, says he kept “running into brick walls” after he closed his business to look for a job in industry,

 “I am very grateful for this program. I heard about it at the Southside Leadership Summit, and I thank all of those who have helped us,” Stapp says. He adds that the skills learned in the program will help him as he seeks employment.

 Sherry Logan of South Boston echoes the feelings of some of the students in the program.

 “For those of us without a degree or higher education, this program provides a certificate or credential that we can show to potential employers,” Logan says. “This shows that we are serious about what we are doing.”

 Max Glass, Vice President of Workforce Services at DCC, is convinced that the teamwork involved has been beneficial to the program. He notes. “This is the best model for Workforce Development Services. We’ve brought all of the people together who need to be here. I am pleased to be involved in all of this.”

 Arnold adds that working cooperatively has been ‘win-win’ for the students and the companies who will eventually hire them.

 “The success of the program is dependent upon the success of our students in the workplace,” Arnold explains. “That’s the best marketing we can have.”

 The next class will begin in January 2008. Information session for those interested in registering for the next class will be held Thursday, December 13, at 8:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. in at DCC’s Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training (121 Slayton Avenue, Danville). For more information, contact 434.797.6437 or click here.