Four-county student Work Experience program continues
Four-county Work Experience program to continue in 2015-2016
SUMTER, S.C. – Central Carolina Technical College’s inaugural four-county economic development program has successfully completed its first year. The WE program, or Work Experience program, partners CCTC Industrial & Engineering Technology students with businesses and industries in Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties who then provide paid 200-hour work hours.
The WE program, which launched in February and ran through the spring semester, is designed to boost the region’s economic development efforts by giving businesses and industries an additional avenue of attracting and targeting local, skilled workers to fill available positions. The program also develops a pipeline of prospective employees for high-technology careers. It involves a partnership between CCTC; Santee-Lynches Workforce Investment Board; Sumter Economic Development Board; industries in Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties (see a list below); and CCTC Industrial & Engineering Technology students, specifically those in the Welding, Engineering Graphics Technology, Mechatronics and CNC Machine Tool programs.
Nineteen students and 16 companies participated in the inaugural WE program, with nine students receiving an additional 200+ hours and with five students receiving job offers. Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback, CCTC will run the WE program again during the 2015-2016 school year.
Richard Clark, engineering manager at Mancor Industries in Lugoff, said he was thoroughly impressed with CCTC Engineering Graphics Technology student Isabella Coppernol – especially her ability to learn new skills and work under minimal supervision. “I’m a big supporter of the WE program. I’d take two students next time,” he said. “This program provides us with good, quality personnel who come with a higher level skill set.”
Coppernol described her participation in the WE program as “awesome”: “I have five months of work experience that I wouldn’t have had if it hadn’t been for this program, and it all happened while I was still in college.”
Mancor extended a job offer to Coppernol but the May graduate will be pursing her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Missouri University of Science & Technology.
The inaugural WE program partnering businesses and industries included:
- Becton-Dickerson
- Canfor Corporation
- Caterpillar, Inc.
- Continental Tire the Americas, LLC
- The Coca-Cola Company
- Eaton Corporation
- Johnny’s Welding Service
- Kaydon Corporation
- Manchester Fluid Power
- Mancor Industries
- Meritor, Inc.
- Mid-State Tooling
- Powell Valves
- Singleton Steel Company, LLC
- Smoak Irrigation Co
- Wolfe Mechanical & Equipment Supply
Central Carolina Technical College is a comprehensive, public, two-year institution of higher education that is dedicated to fostering a positive environment of teaching and learning for faculty, staff, and students. The College serves primarily the region of Clarendon, Lee, Kershaw, and Sumter counties in South Carolina and confers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Central Carolina students have a wide array of programs and services from which to choose. Our online programming and cooperative agreements with other colleges and universities provide students with exceptional opportunities coupled with our more traditional learning opportunities. Learn more: www.cctech.staging.wp.collegeinbound.com