By Betsy Finklea
A presentation was made to the Dillon County Council at a workshop recently about the possibility of a Workforce Development Center in the county.
Haywood Proctor, chairman of the Dillon County Public-Private Partnership, spoke about an economic development meeting he and others attended in Spartanburg. It sparked the idea of what could be done in Dillon County to help with economic development. He said a Workforce Development Center was something that they could do to get a trainable workforce. He said Economic Development Director Tonny McNeil, who was unable to attend the workshop, was 100 percent on board with the idea.
Proctor said he put together a focus group with education officials which included all of the superintendents, Jerry Strickland from the ATEC Center, and Dr. Ron Bartley from Northeastern Technical College. He said Dr. John Kirby had the idea.
Kirby then spoke to the council. He said they were trying to do something really good for Dillon County. Kirby said one of the main reasons that the jobs go elsewhere is because others have a well-trained workforce.
Kirby said there are four categories of the workforce: 1) Students/Graduates, 2) Unemployed, 3) Under-Employed (part-time workers), and 4) Employed, who may need re-training.
There are five entities to serve this workforce: 1) Adult Education, which offers no job skills training, 2) High School, which offers very little job skills, 3) ATEC, where job skills are based on student interest, 4) Northeastern Technical College, and 5) Economic Development. Kirby said all are doing a great job in their own way.
Kirby said they were not asking for money yet, but it was going to come down to resources. He said they were in desperate need of a modern, flexible ATEC center and in desperate need of Adult Education facilities.
Kirby said they would like to bring ATEC, NETC, Adult Education, and Workforce Development to one site. He said everyone would train on one site. The goal is to address the workforce needs of all employees in Dillon County. He said it may not attract a new industry right away, but they also need to be concerned about keeping their current businesses and industries. Kirby said the idea is to have one facility under one governance and to make it work. He said they need the county’s blessing and interest. The completion date would be approximately three years.
Kirby said they will be looking a dual credit with NETC. He said high school students could take vocational courses to get credit for a technical college. Kirby said he would like to graduate the seniors with a diploma and a tech degree. He said he wanted to get many students into a dual credit program. Kirby said this is the dream and the realization of this dream would set Dillon County above other places.
Richard Schafer, chairman of the Dillon County Board of Education, said many people who visit his personnel department don’t even know how to come dressed for an interview. He said students need these soft skills.
Kirby said that a fifth focus would be using this site to gain leverage to get back an unemployment office. He said the idea is to have a one stop shop.
Kirby said they met with the delegation, and they support the idea. He told the council that jobs and quality of life is part of their watch. He said they wanted the council to say move forward.
A meeting is planned for today (Nov. 14) with business and industry leaders to assess their thoughts and needs. Kirby said they want to get everyone involved at all angles. Kirby said there is no other concept like this anywhere around.
Dr. Ron Bartley of NETC said this was a unique project. He said 65 percent of the workforce in the next four years will need more than a high school diploma and less than a four year degree. He said they want the people in Dillon County to be able to get jobs in Dillon County.
Proctor said he is “so excited” about what this could do for Dillon County. He said that students could walk into any door they choose and when they walk out they will have a job. He said ReadySC would locate an office there. Proctor said they were asking the council to think about it, support it, and offer their input. “Now is the right time for Dillon County,” Proctor said.
It was noted that there is a possibility they could get EDA monies to help fund some of the project.
Kirby said they need to be able to meet the needs of their industries. He said the idea is to have a place where a business leader can come in, say what their needs are, and tell them to handle it. Kirby said it was a “comprehensive approach.”
Kirby noted that they will need the legislative delegation to do some legislation to make this project possible.
Proctor said that the council needed to consider giving the group the nod.