2002

WEEK OF_:__...:....:..:...----- (lSt Central unveils training lab to aid area businesses, industries In a continuing effort to Philadelphia location

has a two-fold mission: It is designed to address the requests for training from the existing employer base in the district and is dedicated to meeting their needs. The Center also can be a recruiting tool used by economic develop– ment representatives to show– case the College's ability to upgrade or transttion the cur– rently available workforce to face new challenges. Specific technical training services of the Center include state-of-the-art trairung aides and accompanying instruction– al materials to address installing, maintaining and troubleshooting of the following technologies: electrical, elec– tronics, hydraulics, pneumat– ics, robotics, programmable logic controls (PLC), mechani– cal/electroruc dri,·es, computer– numerical controls (CNC>, motor controls and welding. Whitlock said trainers deliver– ing the aforementioned classes are proven and experienced in automated manufacturmg~ environments. Whitlock said personnel at the College's Workforce Development Center are avail– able to provide assistance to companies in arranging classes to be offered at the new fac1lity. "Our staff can specifically customize training at the

or arrange for delivery of small business workshops, human resources sessions computer applications classes or provide access to online course libraries at training labs in Carthage, Decatur, Forest and Louisville. We want our local businesses and industries to contact us so we can make workforce devel– opment services work for them," Whitlock said. In addition to Whitlock, other members of the Workforce Development staff are Joe Renaud, personal development specialist; Tina Harris, basic skills specialist; Jim Hansford and Ron Forest, workshop development coordi– nators; Ronald B. Westbrook, director, Small Business Development Center; Sylvia Bush, work-based learning coordinator; Jewel Walker, employment placement coun– selor; Emilie Smith, secretary, Workforce Development Center; and Virgie Thames, secretary, Small Business Development Center. For more information con– tact the ECCC Workforce Development Center, P.O. Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327, Phone 635-2111 or call toll free, 1-877- 462-3222, ext. 299. The email address is nvhitlock@leccc.cc.ms.us.

l'erve the needs of businesses ~1d industries in the five-coun– ity area, East Central C mmunity College in Decatur 1·ecently unveiled its new ~roductivity Enhancement '11 aining lab during Open House activities held at the Philadelphia-Neshoba County Vocational-Technical Center lj ·ision of ECCC. College officials hope that the response to the new facility, a project of the ECCC Workforce Develop~ent Center, is an indicator for suc– ce~s. "Almost 100 people, includ– ing representatives from 28 employers, attend the Open Pouse. Several companies have already contacted us about pro– v•dmg customized classes to meet mamtenance oriented tr::Uning needs and to address other human resource develop– ment areas,., said Roger Whitlock, Center director. The Productivity Enhancement lab is equipped with over $500,000 of comput– er-driven, advanced technolo– gies refl ective of those found in automated production environ– ments. and is designed to pro- ·ide customized training to meet technical, professional and personal needs of business- ' and industries in Leake, Scott , Newton, Neshoba and "mston counties.

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