Salem Community College,Cumberland County College and the Cumberland/Salem Workforce Investment Board have partnered with glass industry leaders on a new,fast-track training program to put unemployed workers back to work.
Comprised of 150 hours of training over a six-week period,the state-funded Manufacturing Skill Standards Council Certified Production Technician program is designed especially for dislocated,unemployed or underemployed workers from South Jersey.
Students learn theory,such as safety,production,measurement and quality control in the glass industry,and visit an area manufacturer to see their course content in practice.About 20 students were part of the first class which started in August.
Four informational sessions are scheduled at the Luciano Conference Center at Cumberland County College in Vineland.The sessions,which run from 4 to 5:30 p.m.,are set for Nov.26,Dec.7,Dec.11 and Dec.17.
"This program was developed on real-world needs of our businesses,"said Domenic P.Ciancarelli,director of Precision Electronic Glass in Vineland.He praised the partnership that led to the creation of the program.
The program began with the board's receipt of a State Energy Partnership Grant from the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.The Cumberland County Office of Employment and Training is administering the grant.
"With this first run of the program,it is our goal to prepare workers with the skills necessary to work in good-paying manufacturing jobs in the glass industry,"said Christy DiLeonardo,division director of Business Services/Cumberland Salem Workforce Investment Board."We plan to introduce programs in other process manufacturing industries,such as food and chemical."
The program allows students to earn an industry-recognized,nationally portable credential in just six weeks.This is especially important for students who must enter the work force quickly and for adult learners who need to document their knowledge and skills to find employment in a short time,said Cumberland-Salem Workforce Education Alliance Executive Director Vicki Simek.
"We need reliable,dependable employees and we are looking to hire you when you complete this program,"said Tom Reed,a human resources executive for Arc International,a worldwide glass company whose North American headquarters is in Millville.
