G. Frank Russell Career & Technology Center
The Greenwood County Career Center is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools and offers occupational courses
ranging from electronics to machine shop.
G. Frank Russell Career & Technology Center
Mr. Chuck Graves, Director
601 East Northside Drive
Greenwood, SC 29646
Piedmont Technical College
Piedmont Tech provides associate and diploma degrees in a variety of
technical fields aimed to meet the needs of today's industry.
Piedmont Technical College
Dr. Lex Walters, President
PO Box 1467
Greenwood, SC 29648
864.941.8301
The Center for Accelerated Technology Training (CATT):
Customized Worker Training Program
The Accelerated Technology Training program is South Carolina's unique
and outstanding employment training resource for companies locating or
expanding in the state. The program is operated by the State Board for
Technical and Comprehensive Education (TECH) which also oversees the
statewide Technical Education College System. The Accelerated
Technology Training program recruits and trains individuals for
specific assignments with new businesses and industries, as well as
expansions of existing businesses. The program, which is funded
entirely with state money and imposes no target populations, has been
operating since 1962.
Usually the training is short-term and is provided prior to opening day or expansion so that when the facility opens, a trained work force is ready to go to work. The training programs are usually located near the facility and often conducted at the facility itself if that is feasible.
Accelerated Technology Training Program is one of the oldest start-up training systems in the nation and has been used as a model elsewhere. Since its inception, the program has trained workers for more than 1,400 manufacturing firms. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, 9,400+ workers were trained for 182 South Carolina industries. The extensive body of expertise which has been developed over the years is unmatched in any other state.
Flexibility and Quality: Accelerated Technology Training Trademark The Accelerated Technology Training program is highly regarded by South Carolina employers for the quality of training and the skilled, dependable workers produced. The success of the program is based squarely on its flexibility. Program administrators pride themselves on their ability to develop a customized training program that suits the specific needs of clients. The U.S. Department of Labor recognized TECH as a model for technical education systems in the United States. TECH's involvement and dedication in training prospective employees for every major industry locating in the state was one reason.
When an employer decides to locate (or expand) in the state, the Accelerated Technology Training staff goes to work to help make sure the plant or business will have the trained workers needed when the facility starts operations. Major steps in the process of operating the Accelerated Technology Training program are:
- Accelerated Technology Training staff members meet with the company and analyze the jobs and skill levels needed
- Representatives of The Center for Accelerated Technology Training, in partnership with South Carolina Jobs Service and the SC Employment Security Commission, begin recruiting prospective workers. Ads are placed with various area media completely at the expense of the state.
- Training materials such as manuals, videotapes, slides and charts are developed and tailored to the company's processes. (The system has a media support center capable of producing these types of instructional materials.)
- Instructors are chosen — either TECH staff or the employer's staff — and trained in instruction techniques if necessary. The instructors are paid by Accelerated Technology Training.
- The training facility is prepared and equipment obtained.
- Classes are planned and a lead-time schedule is prepared. The schedule is designed to have training completed approximately two weeks prior to hire needs.
- The training courses are conducted to the standards and requirements of the company. During the training, any trainees who do not meet the required standards are terminated by TECH.
- Counseling and training in good work habits are provided.
- Trainees are not paid for attending the training.
- If needed, the pre-employment training may be followed by a period of on-the-job training after the trainee has been hired.
- When the company is ready to expand or add more employees, Accelerated Technology Training is available to assist in the training of the new employees. There is no limit to the number of times the training program may be used.
- At the end of training there is no obligation on the company to hire the trainees nor for the workers to accept an offer of employment.
The people of South Carolina are its major resource. Quality training helps ensure that South Carolinians are highly skilled for new and expanding industries. Since 1962, more than 170,000 people have been trained through the TECH system and have acquired a wide range of technical skills through this custom-designed training program.
Unlike many state training programs which simply provide companies a grant for training, South Carolina's Accelerated Technology Training commitment is to train workers to meet the needs of specific industry; therefore, the exact value to an industry is much more difficult to determine.
SC Technical College System
The Center for Accelerated Technology Training (CATT)
Mr. R. Kent Bedenbaugh, Director
PO Box 1467
Greenwood, SC 29648
864.941.8404
