Workforce training center open


Thursday, January 25, 2007
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Workforce training center open

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

Photo by Sue Watson

Videoconferencing
(From left) Darius Collins, Betty Yates and Nathan Hurdle demonstrate the new videoconferencing equipment at Holly Springs Information Technology Center. The view station links through high speed internet to provide worldwide access to users. Videoconferencing allows groups to talk face-to-face with each other remotely.

People can, once again, apply for jobs and receive training right here in Marshall County.

The Industrial Development Authority, the board of supervisors and the City of Holly Springs are partnering with Rust College Community Development Corp. to build a workforce training center in Holly Springs, according to Bill Renick, executive director of IDA.

Funding is provided through Three Rivers Planning and Development District in Pontotoc.

Betty Yates has been awarded the subcontract through IDA to get the project launched and anyone who is looking for a job, job training/retraining or assistance with applications can now get help without having to go to another county, Renick said.

“Ultimately, what we’re hoping to have here is a one-stop job center for Marshall County,” he said. “This is a joint venture not only with the City of Holly Springs but with the Marshall County Board of Supervisors.”

The city’s information technology center will be used temporarily as a site where applicants may request help finding or preparing for a job.

Yates, who is helping set up a non-profit organization for workforce development locally, said she will be processing applications for jobs for Lund Precision Group, a new manufacturing company soon to open its doors at the Holly Springs Industrial Park.

“We will try to match up applicants with Lund’s needs,” she said. “We also will be working with another new company coming to the area.”

Individuals interested in preparing to be certified nurse’s assistants, through Rust College Community Development Corp. (RCCDC), can also receive training here, Yates said.

Rust College will offer a business and education associate degree (two-year program), Yates said.

“Anyone interested can enroll there as soon as they come and fill out an application and take the TABE (Adult Basic Education) test,” she said. “If they don’t pass the TABE test, they don’t qualify for the Rust College CDC associate degree program.”

Other programs to be offered are with Catapillar Company which has parts and distribution offices in the area, she said.

And Catapillar is implementing a mentoring program at the middle and high schools this fall with emphasis to be placed on math and technology training.

A job data bank for applicants is being organized, Yates said. Those interested in entering the workforce can come in and get an assessment to see what type job they are capable of doing, Yates said. The applicants will be prepared before they go out on a job interview so they will know how to dress, interact during the interview and understand the importance of work ethic, she said.

Applicants will know what they should do to keep a job once they are hired, she said.

Yates said the center will ask the entire community to help develop the workforce training and assistance program.

“Right now our main goal is to get this infrastructure started,” she said. “We’re moving forward. If the community is behind us, we will have a trainable workforce.

“If anybody is interested in any type of work, we want them to come see us.”

Yates said she does believe that people want to work to have a better quality of life.

“Everybody wants a better quality of life and, in order to have it, you have to go to work,” she said.

Yates said almost everyone starts out working at the bottom rung of the economic ladder and as they gain experience and skills they find more opportunities to better themselves and find better jobs.

For more information on job searches, training or other services call the IT Center at 662-252-1488, extension 1101. Those interested in the associate degree program at Rust may also call RCCDC at 252-4860.

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