In This Issue
Meet TWIB Member Gil Leatherwood
SC Works Success Story
Youth Sleuth Presents: Muretza Alexander "Failure is not an Option"
Certfied Logistics Technician Graduation Held
Interview Tip
During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm as possible. Take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question before you answer and pay attention - you will be embarrassed if you forget the question!
 
Job Fairs
A job fair was held on September 14th at the Dorchester County QuickJobs Training Center. Many local employers attended to meet potential employees. This is the first large-scale recruitment event located at the site, and 350 people turned out for the event. This event was sponsored by Trident Technical College and SC Works Trident. 
 
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Customer Feedback 
My enrollment process was very satisfying. I felt my Workforce Specialist really cared about helping me with my career advancement. She went above and beyond in the process of customer care and service. I am walking out very happy and feeling enlightened and encouraged to stick with taking my classes, succeeding in making a better life for my children by way of a better career. Thank you very much!
 
~Angel Moore~
 

SC Works Berkeley News

 

SC Works Berkeley hosted two hiring events in August. The first developed from an on-going partnership with US Navy Recruiter Sgt.  William Chitwood. Sgt. Chitwood, having been recruiting for several years, felt the Berkeley Center customer base would be an excellent place to find new recruits who were interested in the training opportunities available through the US Navy. The second hiring event this month was for Blue Lion Marketing. The company was recruiting for both Customer Service and Sales Representative positions. Several customers expressed an interest in working with the organization, and after applicants were pre-screened, 12 customers were selected and scheduled for interviews. Both hiring events can be contributed to the business outreach efforts of Berkeley's new Placement Supervisor Jessica Galati. SC Works Berkeley looks forward to  many more hiring events!

 
SC Works Dorchester News
SC Works Dorchester facilitated the re-employment of 132 individuals during the month of August; increasing the total number employed for the year to nearly 1,160 individuals. Additionally, the WIA program assisted seven individuals in meeting their employment goal in August. Other activities undertaken included the hosting of two job fairs for area employers, providing WIA outreach services to partner programs in St. George, and assisting in the skills upgrading of seven individuals through the WIA program. The SC Department of Social Services completed its second full month as a partner in the center and has registered 13 individuals in their re-employment program; a partnership with SC Department of Employment and Workforce. Individuals within the program are receiving intensive case management and re-employment services in an effort to transition individuals from public assistance to self-sufficient employment.    
 
Meet TWIB Member Gil Leatherwood...

Staff recently sat down with TWIB Member Gil Leatherwood and the following is an excerpt from that interview:

Q: Tell me how you first got involved with the Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWIB)?
 
A: I know the TWIB from past member Mike Leatherwood, and I have kept abreast of the TWIB's actions since the start up.

Q: How long have you been on the TWIB?
 
A: I am new to the Board, now trained and looking forward to my first meeting.

Q: Tell me about some of the people you've met while working on the TWIB.
 
A: I have only met a few people thus far, but I am impressed with their energy towards their goals.

Q: What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about the TWIB?
 
A: If we perform correctly, we can help the workforce train to keep up with job needs and employment.

Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
 
A: I am 48 years old with 34 years DOD contracting experience.

Q: What do you think will change about the TWIB over the next five years?
 
A: More interest in the aerospace industries.

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

A: I am eager to learn more of the TWIB's actions, decisions, and responsibilities.
SC Works Success Story

 

 

In May of 2012, Mr. Scott Tucker was displaced from his job at a residential facility when new management took over. During his time of seeking employment through SC Works Charleston he became eligible to take part in the WIA Program. Mr. Tucker was very excited about the program and expressed a need to seek assistance to get back into the workforce.

 

Mr. Tucker worked very closely with his Workforce Specialist to get into a training program that would make him more marketable and ready for  work. He entered the Certified Logistics Technician Training program and received his certificate of completion. Included in the program were his certifications for OSHA Safety Compliance, Forklift-Certified Operator and Logistic. Mr. Tucker completed the program in September and is now employed with Daimler Chrysler as a Logistic Associate making $12.00 per hour.

 

Mr. Tucker told his Workforce Specialist that it was a great privilege being a recent graduate of the Logistics Program that SC Works offers to individuals seeking employment. He was able to utilize past experience, develop new skills and most importantly with his recent certification, find employment in the logistics and production industry as a MSSC Certified Logistics Associate.

Success Story: Megan Pate
Hard Works Leads to Success
   

Megan Pate understands what it's like to work hard. She has a strong drive to succeed and a tough as nails attitude which she says helped her pass the six month Medical Assistant program at Trident Technical College.

 

Megan came to Palmetto Youth Connections hoping to obtain occupational certification in the medical field. As a high school graduate with a young family, Megan wanted to start a career in a high demand area with room for growth and advancement. She researched the Medical Assistant program and committed to the program immediately. 

 

 "The Medical Assistant program is a certification that I can build from. I hope to be a nurse someday and having a foundation in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and clinical experience will put me ahead of the game when I go to college in the future. This was the best  program for my situation," said Megan. Megan started the Medical Assistant Program shortly after finding out she was pregnant with her second child. She didn't let the news stop her from reaching her goal. In fact, it gave her more motivation to succeed.

 

"I had to stay focused and stay ahead of my work because failure was not an option. It never even crossed my mind. There were people in the class that didn't want it as much as me and tried to bring me down. I made sure to communicate with my teachers and work hard and I was successful. Now I am in a good position to provide for my two children in the future," said Megan.

 

Megan continues to speak highly of the Medical Assistant Program. She says that the accelerated program prepares each student for the realities of working in the medical field.

 

"There's really no room for error when you are working in the medical field. That's why the teachers expect so much from you. It's a fast paced environment and you constantly have to stay one step ahead of the game. You can sink or swim in class and you can sink or swim in the real world," she said.

 

Megan found the support from Palmetto Youth Connections invaluable as she went through occupational training.

 

"I appreciate the support from everyone at Palmetto Youth Connections," Megan said. "It would have been difficult for me to succeed without the positive encouragement of my Career Coach and staff. The fast paced class was overwhelming at times and I always felt I could confide in my Career Coach if it was all getting to be too much," said Megan.

 

Megan successfully completed the Medical Assistant Program at eight months pregnant. In the future, she hopes to work as a Medical Assistant and enjoy a great life with her husband and two children.  

Certified Logistics Technician Graduation Held

 

Trident Technical College held a graduation for students of the Certified Logistics Technician program. All of the graduates were WIA customers. Graduates of the program are trained to work in the transportation, distribution and logistics industries. The program provides students with hands-on and computer-based training. Students learn basic math, supply chain life cycle, logistics, warehouse layout and lean warehouse, security and safety, and quality control. Other topics include equipment usage and maintenance, workplace communications and teamwork, computers, forklift operation, and bar code scanning and RFID. The program is based on nationally recognized curriculum, and graduates receive national credentials. "Trident Technical College's Logistics programs provide the skills employers are looking for", says Lloyd Kling, Director of Manufacturing, Industrial and Construction Trades in TTC's Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development. "There are numerous employment opportunities with various warehousing, distribution, commercial and manufacturing businesses in the tri-county area. At the program graduation ceremony, students actually get one-on-one interviews with local employers."

 

Spotlight:

Akil Mazyck enrolled in the WIA program in February to look at training options to take his career in a new direction. After viewing the different areas of training, he and his Workforce Specialist came to the decision that the Certified Logistics Technician program through Trident Technical College would be the best option. The Logistics Technician Course gives graduates the skills they need to be successful in the fast-paced world of logistics. Upon graduation, SC Works staff set him up to be interviewed with Cutting Edge Composites, located in Summerville. His Logistics Technician certification gave him the skills he needs to be competitive in the workforce, and Mr. Mazyck started a full-time job with Cutting Edge Composites under the On-the-Job Training program on September 17th.

Business Services Survey Available

 

A short survey is now available online to gain insight on our business customers' experiences with using SC Works Trident. If you have used our services in the past to recruit new employees, please take a few minutes to fill out the brief survey. Your input is invaluable to helping us improve our services.

 

If you have any questions or would like more information on the business services offered at SC Works Trident, please contact Kim Self at [email protected] or (843) 725-0306.

 

 
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. SC Works Trident (888) 226-1606 TTY: 711