Q: Tell me how you first got involved with the Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWIB)?

 

A:  I became involved through the direct linkage between my organization's registered apprenticeship program and the federally funded workforce development system. Working with the Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship Director, we set upon the task of introducing registered apprenticeship as an addition to post secondary job training alternatives in South Carolina. That naturally introduced me to workforce partners on the board.

 

Q: What do you find most challenging about serving on the TWIB?

 

A: For me, it has been reading and understanding the technical documents we are presented. Coming from a career in the building trades, I have been taught to read blueprints, fabricate and weld but advanced business documents were not taught in my apprenticeship. The new Dashboard documents are a big help and improvement.

 

Q: If you could change one thing about the TWIB, what would it be?

 

A: I wish that the local board and system could pursue their mission without the constant uncertainty caused by budgetary and political bickering.

 

Q: Tell me about some of the people you've met while serving on the TWIB?

 

A: I have met a group of diverse, dedicated and constantly changing workforce professionals. From folks working in the field to corporate level folks who steer their human resource activities, I have enhanced my professional workforce knowledge through and with them. I want to thank them for that. Ultimately, that synergy helps us serve the customers better in the long-term.

  

Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?

 

A: I have a "green thumb". I get my relaxation by growing, planting and digging in the garden and yard. 

 

  

Q: What do you think will change about the TWIB over the next five years?

 

A: The local board will continue to see new faces and foster new and innovative partnerships to stretch limited dollars.

 

  

Q: What else can you tell me about the TWIB?

 

  

A: There are all sorts of job-seeking and career enhancement opportunities made available to the local community that many people are not aware of.   

 

 

 

Q: As a Board Member, what sorts of trends do you see?

 

A: I sense that there will be increasingly continued efforts to align and train job seekers to careers in core clusters that are in-line with economic trends in the state. I also think that renewed efforts will be made to justify funding with increasingly shrinking funding streams. 

 

Debra Chaney entered into the WIA program in June 2011. Ms. Chaney had been previously working in the IT field. She felt her skills were outdated and she came to the WIA program to help her find her passion. As we worked together, she became drawn to the healthcare field as she enjoys helping people. She decided upon the medical assistant program and even before the program began she had taken it upon herself to begin volunteering at an elderly care facility operating as a Volunteer Activities Coordinator.

Ms. Chaney was a stellar student while in class and became the class valedictorian. She graduated from the Registered Medical Assistant Program in March 2012. She recently sat and passed the certification exam receiving a total score of 98 out of a total possible score of 99. She is presently working for Mt. Pleasant Internal Medicine as a Medical Assistant earning $14.50 per hour. Ms. Chaney was a model customer. She has great drive and initiative. It was a pleasure to work with her and we know that she is well on her way to a great career in the medical profession.

 

It's important to include all your contact information on your resume so employers can easily get in touch with you. Include your full name, street address, city, state, and zip, home phone number, cell phone number and email address.

 

SC Works Online is a free and easy way to recruit new employees. Recently, Centurum contacted SC Works Trident's staff in search of a Network Engineer/Field Engineer. As a result, Centurum hired Teresa Gethers as their new staff member. Ms. Gethers started her new position in June making $20 per hour and will travel to Iraq and Afghanistan after her training is complete! If you are looking to recruit new employees, please contact Kim Self at (843) 725-0306 or kims@tridentscworks.org.

Customer Feedback  

 

Every morning as I walk through the doors of SC Works Charleston, you beautiful ladies' kindness always places a smile on my face, which makes me feel confident about what I'm trying to accomplish while I'm here.

 

~Ronnett Nelson

 

SC Works Trident and Trident Technical College came together on May 25th to host a job fair at Trident Technical College's St. Paul's Parish site location in Ravenel. Twelve local employers were in attendance, including the City of Charleston, Piggly Wiggly, Snelling Staffing, and DialAmerica. Doors opened at 10am, and over 150 jobseekers attended the 3-hour job fair. 

 

Families Helping Families

 

Families Helping Families provided holiday gifts, seasonal supplies, and food to more than 3,000 families in need in December 2011. The effort required the participation of more than 40 agencies and organizations, media partners, hundreds of warehouse workers and more than 2,600 businesses and sponsors. If you are interested in volunteering or donating to the project for the 2012 holiday season, please email aaddison@palmettoproject.org

 

SC Works Berkeley News

 

SC Works Berkeley had several successes with Dislocated Workers this month. A Dislocated Worker from Roseburg, Mr. Lewis, started an OJT contract with Scout Boats as a Rigging Assembler. He has several years of manufacturing experience and is very excited about being able to get back to work in this environment. In addition, Dislocated Worker, Dianne Winningham, has returned to work as an Administrative Assistant for a prestigious law firm iin Summerville. She has several years of secretarial and administrative experience and is excited about this new opportunity.