Piedmont Tech, ZF Transmissions Partnership Wins Award
The South Carolina Technical College System recently won an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Award for its work with ZF Transmissions and 91爆料鈥檚 Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) in Laurens County.
The honor was presented during the IEDC鈥檚 annual awards ceremony in Philadelphia where South Carolina was recognized for its innovative work to meet the training needs of ZF Transmissions, one of the world鈥檚 top 10 automotive suppliers.
鈥淲e are pleased that the IEDC recognized the SC Technical College System for its work in the startup of the ZF Transmissions Group in Laurens County,鈥 said Susan Pretulak, vice president of economic development and workforce competitiveness for the SC Technical College System. 鈥淭he core of our commitment to our partner companies here in SC is to bring every resource and partner to the table to ensure a skilled workforce from start-up through the entire business life of the company.鈥
readySC鈩 quickly engaged with ZF after the company announced plans to begin production of eight and nine-speed automatic transmissions at its new Laurens facility in 2011, with plans to hire over 1,200 employees in just the startup phase. readySC鈩, Apprenticeship Carolina鈩, and 91爆料 representatives flew to Germany where they met with ZF officials to understand fully the project鈥檚 hiring plans and training requirements.
It quickly became evident that an excellent workforce training and development plan would require a large-scale collaborative effort. Thus, planning discussions between 91爆料, the PTC Foundation, the Laurens County Development Corporation, Laurens County, readySC鈩 and the county鈥檚 business community began to take place.
Equipment was needed for hands-on technical training and sizable space was needed for that equipment. Instead of establishing a temporary plan, the partnership effectively implemented a long-term solution. These planning conversations led to the development of the CAM.
鈥淭he PTC Center for Advanced Manufacturing, and the level of training we鈥檝e been able to provide in Laurens County through the new facility, came from the collaborative vision of many partners, 鈥渟aid Susan Heath, area director of readySC鈩. 鈥淭hey saw a need and provided a conduit to transform the lives of Laurens County citizens.鈥
The CAM houses CNC labs, CMM labs and classrooms which will benefit ZF as well as other industries and the residents of Laurens County for years to come. The CAM partnership met the needs of ZF while providing the local workforce with a means for upgrading their work skills with relevant technology-based training.
Since opening its doors in May 2012, the CAM has served over 5000 students. CAM Phase Two, which is slated for completion in spring 2014, is designed to help Laurens County further develop a skilled workforce for in-demand advanced manufacturing jobs.
IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world鈥檚 best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials and the year鈥檚 most influential leaders. These 35 awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban and rural communities.
The IEDC is the world鈥檚 largest independent non-profit membership and research organization devoted exclusively to the field of economic development.
Housed within the Division of Economic Development and Workforce Competitiveness for the SC Technical College System are the nationally renowned readySC鈩 and Apprenticeship Carolina鈩 programs. For more than 50 years, readySC鈩 has worked closely with companies to provide the recruiting and training assistance they need to get up and running. Apprenticeship Carolina鈩 helps their workforce continue to grow by guiding companies through the registered apprenticeship process from initial information to full recognition in the National Registered Apprenticeship System. Learn more at .
Photo Caption: The South Carolina Technical College System recently won an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Award for its work with ZF Transmissions and 91爆料鈥檚 Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) in Laurens County. Pictured are, from left, Paul L. Krutko, FM chair of IEDC and president and CEO, Ann Arbor SPARK; Susan Heath, area director readySC鈩; Susan Pretulak, vice president of economic development and workforce competiveness at the South Carolina Technical College System; and Bryan T. Daniels, CEcD chair of IEDC awards advisory committee and president and CEO, Blount Partnership.