Developing The Local Workforce

By Leigh Evans, VP of Economic Development
Sandersville Technical College

Washington County and the surrounding areas are steadily growing because of new and expanding industries discovering the secrets of living in middle Georgia.  When asked why they selected the area to build or expand, executives remark on the friendly and helpful attitudes displayed by everyone they meet.  They also positively respond when recruiters describe the labor force they will be hiring from as loyal, hardworking and ready and willing to work.  The skill level of the available workforce is extremely important to employers because of the time and money necessary to train them in the beginning to be productive.  Also, for existing industries the skills of the present employees need to be continually upgraded in order to be competitive and to remain productive on new technology available to improve and increase production.

A major aspect of developing the local economy, the skill levels of the workforce is a major indication of present and future growth.  The increasing price of gas is having a serious impact on our rural population and going to school is not as high a priority to many as getting a job to pay for the increasing prices.  Our area is fortunate to have available jobs but employers prefer applicants to have a certain level of skills to save time and money by reducing training time and turnover rates.

Management, staff and faculty at Sandersville Technical College recognize these needs from both the industries’ point of view and the applicants’ point of view. Governor Perdue’s Georgia Work Ready initiative allows Georgia’s technical colleges to provide the opportunity for applicants interested in obtaining employment but are unable to qualify their skill levels to assess and upgrade their skills at Sandersville Tech. 

Employers are finding the applicants who have received the Georgia Work Ready certificate are better qualified to the point that several are requiring the certificate for interviews.  The process several employers are using is having applicants fill out and turn in applications at Sandersville Tech.  They are told at that point that the industries are requiring they be assessed and meet minimum scores on reading for information, applied mathematics and locating information prior to considering their application.

The applicant is referred to the testing center to set an appointment to take the 3 ½ hr. assessments to determine his or her levels in those skills.  Upon completion of the assessment, the results are immediately available to determine the next step.  If the assessment has a positive result, the scores and application is forwarded to the company.  If the applicant scores below the minimum he or she is referred to the adult education department for the opportunity to work on the weak skill or skills to enhance them to the required level.

Companies that are taking advantage of the results of this assessment are Thomson Plastics, Glit/Microtron, Trojan Batteries, and Bennett Buildings.  Sandersville Technical College is the location for applications, job fairs, assessments and gap training. 

Another aspect of the Georgia Work Ready program is job profiling which is available to employers with job openings.  A certified job profiler spends time on the job, with job incumbents to determine the skill levels required to perform a job at an effective level and at an entry level.

As always, staff from Sandersville Technical College is available to assess employees for basic skills and computer skill levels to supervisory skills.  If certain skills need upgrading to keep up with technology or as a requirement for promotion, customized training is available for individuals and groups at the business site or at STC’s campus. New and existing industries request services from STC like Imerys, Lamsen and Sessions and Power for Georgians.

An exciting way to show appreciation to industries we serve, we nominate local businesses for the chance to become Manufacturer of Year in a state wide competition. Past nominees have included Thomson Plastics, Lamsen and Sessions, Battle Lumber Company, Glit/Microtron, Thermo King, and Wheland Foundry to name a few.

Additional classes and services available at Sandersville Technical College are continuing education classes in computer software programs, Defensive Driving, Photography, Drivers Education, and Electrical Code Review. Free workshops that have been offered this year are “Dealing with Difficult Customers – Providing Exceptional Customer Service” and “Investments: Planning for yourself and your Estate”.

Sandersville Technical College strives to meet and exceed the expectations of the communities it serves. Flexibility and customization are essential to meet those needs and Sandersville Technical College has been providing these and many more for over 12 years.  For more information, call Caryl Gearig at 478-553-2149 or Amanda Terry at 478-232-7245.

(2008, August 27). The Sandersville Progress, p6C.