Program leverages today’s free training to achieve tomorrow’s prosperity
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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]By John Baker | Executive director, Greenville Region Workforce Collaborative[/ezcol_2third_end]
Across South Carolina and the Upstate, this region’s skilled and experienced workforce – long a point of pride and competitive advantage – is at risk of becoming a weakness.
Too many of our young people – tomorrow’s workforce – lack fundamental skills to succeed in the emerging knowledge-driven economy. As baby boomers approach retirement across America, we have fewer trained individuals to take their place. Manufacturers nationally can’t fill over 500,000 open skilled positions, while here in the Upstate hundreds of good-paying, career-oriented positions go unfilled. A lack of skilled machinists, welders, multi-skilled maintenance workers and quality technicians – just a few of the many numerous positions that pay well, yet are going unfilled – demonstrates the skills gap that has emerged between skills workers have to offer and what employers demand.
Part of the challenge lies with education. There is increasing momentum to ensure that students at the middle and high school levels receive the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum essential for success in today’s changing world, along with the presentation of technical career opportunities as an attractive career path to consider. Our school systems are hard at work addressing this essential need.
The other critical need is training, to help individuals today to improve their skills and take advantage of quality careers with family sustaining wages.
A local collaboration of public and private funders and area technical colleges has begun offering free training and job placement support to Upstate citizens who “are committed to putting time, talent and effort into the program to produce a better life for themselves and their loved ones,” organizers say. Residents who are unemployed, underemployed or simply seeking a new career path are welcomed.
The Career Skills Now (CSN) program is designed to help motivated individuals build careers in today’s rapidly expanding manufacturing arena, and provides the link between unemployed or lower-skill workers and the needs of industry for the higher-skill, high-value jobs that are increasingly difficult to fill.
Training leverages the South Carolina Manufacturing Certified program funded last year by the Legislature and includes additional training in high-skill areas such as machining, multi-skill maintenance, welding and quality assurance, among others.
Organizers stress that the program is “an opportunity for an individual to build a career to be proud of,” and that participants are expected to work hard, attend the training, and be committed to learning.
Manufacturers may also send entry-level or lower-skilled associates to the program to enhance training and skills sets, and Career Skills Now organizers work with employers on shift adjustments for incumbent workers to try to meet the schedule needs of the individuals so they can attend the free training.
Opportunity for a brighter future is presenting itself – and at no cost. To apply while space is available or for more information, visit CareerSkillsNow.com.
