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PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
Charleston, SC, United States, 2007/07/16 - The Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWBI) has partnered with Protected Vehicles, Inc. (PVI) to create a new welding training program.
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The Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWIB), along with Protected Vehicles, Inc. celebrated the graduation of the second class to complete a new welding training program. Twenty-five students enrolled in the training.
“The Trident Workforce Investment Board values the partnerships that have been formed with Protected Vehicles, Inc. (PVI), the Charleston County Detention Center, the Center for Accelerated Technology and Training (CATT), and Trident Technical College (TTC) to recruit, test, and train welders needed to meet the growing workforce demands of PVI”, said Paul L. Connerty, TWIB Executive Director. “This program exemplifies the public-private partnerships that are needed to meet the workforce challenges faced by regional businesses.”
The TWIB invested Work Investment Act (WIA) funds in this welding initiative. As more and more manufacturing plants come to the Lowcountry, the demand for skilled workers is continually rising. Many local businesses are in need of skilled workers, such as welders, to meet their production requirements and to keep pace with new orders. In response to PVI’s needs, a 6-week welding skills training program was developed that provides trainees with the skills needed to acquire their welding certification. Certified instructors Jacky Marks and Allen Crosby from TTC provided the instruction.
Protected Vehicles Inc., (PVI) a North Charleston company which designs and manufactures ballistic and blast protected vehicles, was the driving force for the development of the program. PVI needed skilled workers who could fuse together steel plates that are used in the combat vehicles. Protected Vehicles Inc. hired all 25 students after they completed their certification test. They started work the day after graduation.
The graduates and guests were welcomed by Jim Maxon, from the Center for Accelerated Technology Training. He believes the certification is “quite an accomplishment.” He recognized that it was a real team effort to make the program successful and extended his gratitude for the great leadership of the students. “Your example has encouraged others to participate. The human mind, once stretched, never goes back to its original shape – continue to read and grow – don’t stop learning.”
Tom Thebes of PVI welcomed his newest employees by intoning Protected Vehicles three Principles: 1. Family (personal and company family) always comes first; 2. Safety of the soldiers; 3. The company’s bottom line is OK if 1 & 2 are adhered to.
“We had a 100% graduation rate. This is the most successful collaboration we have experienced,” said Lloyd King of Trident Technical College. “I don’t think there are many other programs that bring together private and public entities as successfully as this program has.”
“Our next class begins July 16th and we already have 32 candidates signed up,” said Thebes.
The goal of the One-Stop Career System is to improve the quality of the workforce and enhance workforce productivity to aid in the growth of the region’s economy. The Trident One-Stop Career Center is located at 1930 Hanahan Road in North Charleston. Satellite Centers are located in Moncks Corner, Summerville and Charleston. For more information on available services and programs or to find the center nearest to you, call 843-574-1800.
The Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWIB) provides funding for Trident One-Stop Career System programs and services.
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Susan.Mertz[.]ImpactPR.net 
