Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College is offering free pre-employment manufacturing training to qualified applicants in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties.

The normal charge for this 10-week testing and training program is $1,500, but it is being made available for free through a Department of Commerce grant.

Summer classes for the pre-employment manufacturing training program begin Tuesday, June 19.ˇDay and night classes will be offered at OCtech and at Lake Marion High School.

The pre-employment manufacturing training is based on the NCCER core curriculum for introductory craft skills and includes 96 hours of instruction.

During the 10-week program, students will learn about safety, mathematics, hand tools, power tools, blueprints, rigging, communication skills and employability skills.

Individuals who successfully complete the program are guaranteed an interview when there are openings at the companies partnering with this venture.

Local industries interested in interviewing program graduates include Albemarle, Allied Air, Gulbrandsen, Zeus, Eastman and Carpenter Specialty Alloys. Graduates of the program can expect average starting wages of $10.50 per hour.

“This program is modeled after a very successful program offered through the Lower Orangeburg-Upper Dorchester Shady Grove initiative,” said Rebecca Battle-Bryant, OCtech dean of career training and development. “The Department of Commerce grant allows us to continue offering this program.”

Individuals qualify for the program based on WorkKeys scores.

WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system measuring “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. These skills are valuable for any occupation – skilled or professional – and at any level of education.

WorkKeys Testing is offered at OCtech, also at no charge to the individual.

To qualify for the pre-employment manufacturing program, individuals will be tested in six categories – applied mathematics, locating information, reading for information, observation, teamwork and applied technology.

Individuals must score a “3” or higher in each of these six areas to be eligible for the program.ˇ Applicants must also undergo drug testing and a SLED background check.ˇ

ˇ“Nobody will be left behind. This program offers an opportunity for everyone to be successful.ˇ Our main objective is getting individuals placed in jobs,” said Garon Jackson, program director for the LOUD/Shady Grove Initiative.

“If an individual’s WorkKeys score is not high enough to qualify for the pre-employment manufacturing training program, we will direct the individual to other programs designed to help improve WorkKeys scores,” said Maryanne Martin, workforce development coordinator for the Department of Commerce grant. “The individual will receive a voucher for skills upgrade training offered through the Orangeburg County Adult Education program, also located on OCtech’s campus.”

Orangeburg Workforce One Stop Center, OCtech, Orangeburg County Adult Education, LOUD/Shady Grove, the Department of Social Services and local manufacturers are partnering to make the training available.

For more information on the program, contact Maryanne Martin at 803-268-2530, Garon Jackson at 803-829-1805 or the Orangeburg County One Stop Center at 803-534-3336.

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