FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW CENTER ON WOOD PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING PLANNED

DANVILLE, VA, January 16, 2007 – When the community has a need for workforce training, Danville Community College has a record of stepping in to supply that need. That’s why when Swedwood North America, a furniture manufacturer and major supplier for IKEA, chose Southside Virginia as the site of its first United States factory, DCC made plans to establish a Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Wood Products Technology. In addition to this move to assist Swedwood and other area wood products-related companies, DCC will expand its services to help residents who are seeking new or upgraded career skills.

Dr. B. Carlyle Ramsey, DCC President, says the college will offer a new Associate in Applied Science degree program, as well as a certificate program and provide specialized training to employees and potential employees of companies such as Swedwood, Yorktowne Cabinetry, Inc., Columbia Flooring, Inc., Columbia Forest Products, Inc., and Huber Engineered Woods, LLC.

 “Initially, DCC began a training program for employees at Yorktowne and other wood products industries, but since there are now two major industries in the area,  Yorktowne and Swedwood, we decided it would be best to create a program targeted to the wood products industry,”  says Ramsey.

Ramsey added that he expects the new DCC center to open later this year. The college is conducting a nationwide search for a coordinator/instructor whose responsibilities include providing program development, management and training services; coordinating instructional and training programs; identifying, obtaining and managing grants; providing technical assistance to industry; developing a marketing plan for programs and services; and serving as a regional economic development resource. 

“As a community college, DCC wants to be proactive rather than just reactive. Our job is to constantly scan the environment and to work with economic developers, as well as industries in the region to establish programs and services to directly assist our business and industry partners,” Ramsey says.

Ramsey notes that the center will be a “world-class” operation and indicates college officials will visit similar programs in other states to gather ideas.

By offering an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Technical Studies – Wood Products Manufacturing Technology and the shorter term certificate program, Ramsey says DCC is preparing area residents to seek careers with several new and existing companies that have located in this region.

“Swedwood eventually could employ up to 700 individuals while Yorktowne will bring a similar number of jobs to the area. Many of these are highly skilled jobs with good salaries,” Ramsey says. He recently saw first-hand the Swedwood operation as he was among a group that traveled to Europe to their plants.

“I was very impressed with their (Swedwood) operations,” adds Ramsey.

Jeff Arnold, Director of Business, Industry and Economic Assistance, has been very involved in creating the training program currently being used for Yorktowne and Swedwood employees. He also was part of the group that toured the Swedwood facilities in Europe.

He says in addition to making the training program in wood technology available at DCC, the college plans to partner with the national WoodLINKS program, a national association with links to community and technical colleges, the public schools, and wood products industries.

According to the WoodLINKS’ website (www.woodlinks.com), there is a critical need for skilled workers in the wood products industry because of a number of reasons, including the new technological advances in the industry, a declining timber supply, and overall shortage of skilled workers.

Arnold says it’s possible for DCC to develop a “two-plus-two-plus-two” program in which high school students participate in a two-year WoodLINKS program, then enroll in an associate degree program at DCC, and later transfer to a four-year college or university, enrolling into a baccalaureate program.

“DCC has been very successful working with area polymer and plastics industries and developing a new Associate Degree program in polymer manufacturing technology, and will use a similar training model for wood products (manufacturing) technology,” Arnold says, adding that Swedwood “has outstanding facilities and a well trained workforce in Poland.”

Dr. Max Glass, Vice President of Workforce Services, says the college has a history in workforce services and in assisting local companies in anticipating training and workforce needs.

 “Danville Community College’s programs are based on the needs of the community, and a high priority of the Workforce Services Office is to support the economic development efforts of the region,” Glass says. He adds that with the area’s high unemployment rate, this service is critical to DCC’s mission and to the future of the region.

In addition to conducting needs assessments, working closely with area and state economic development offices, Glass says all of the workforce services and technical programs have advisory committees to assist DCC in the development and operation of the program. The new Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Wood Products Technology will also have an advisory committee, and DCC invites representatives from area wood manufacturing companies to become involved.

“The wood (products manufacturing) technology program will provide excellent employment opportunities for wood product companies (in the area), and the college is here to help students gain the necessary skills for employability,” Glass says.

He noted that many area residents who have not received a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate may not be competitive in seeking employment. DCC can assist these individuals in credentials through Middle College. Glass says the first Middle College program, designed for persons 18 – 24, was established in 2004. In as little as three months, participants can complete their GED and begin a college curriculum.

Glass says the program has been so successful with young adults that the college is expanding its services by offering Middle College II, designed for individuals 25 years and older.       He notes that a search is being conducted to fill vacancies with the Middle College II program, such as a GED Coordinator (full-time) and part-time GED instructors.

“Our mission has always been to serve the community by providing an array of programs and services to meet the community needs,” Glass says.

For more information about the Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Wood Products Technology, or the Middle College programs, contact DCC at 434.797.6437 or 434.797.6433, or click here.