It's no secret unemployment is a big problem in parts of our region. But there are more manufacturing jobs available than you might think. This includes a pilot program offered at Marshall University's Community and Technical College that’s helping people build skills so they are ready for the manufacturing workforce.
Sam Spears works at Rubberlite in Huntington and is training potential employees how to build their skills for manufacturing jobs. Spears says there's a great need to find quality, trained workers. "What we're getting are applicants not prepared for the workplace.
Some students, including Sharon Williams are training for total career change. "My experience was orthodontics for many years. I'm looking for something different and become a valuable employee."
Some of the training topics these students learn are safety and health, personal development, teamwork, communications, quality work, computer literacy and math.
John Hall says he hopes to better himself and this training is the road to his future. "It helps you see what companies are looking for."
Gary Pommerenck is the Executive Director for the Workforce Development Program. He says before the program focused on customized training for a particular company now it's expanded. "We're training individuals with all manufacturing jobs."
The Work Readiness Certificate training class costs fifty dollars for a month of classes. The classes will be given at different times throughout the month, morning, evening and sometimes on weekends.
For more information on the program you can contact marshall's community and technical college.