Tri-County Tech Offers Complimentary
Training to Express Appreciation to Industry

CONTACT: NEIL LARK, EXT. 2208

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/30/99
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Tri-County Technical College will present five days of training seminars -- free of charge -- during S.C. Industry Appreciation Week (September 20 - 24) as an expression of appreciation to industry for its support. The theme for this year's observance is "Legacy of Pride, Century of Promise."

"In appreciation of our business and industrial partnerships, for the third consecutive year we present a week full of networking opportunities and information to benefit our valued industrial partners," said Neil Lark, dean of the College's Continuing Education Division. "It's our way of saying thank you to industry for locating here and providing employment for the citizens of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties," he added.

"Tri-County works daily with industry. They are our customers, and we appreciate them. We are offering, free of charge, what we do best -- training. It's our mission. This complimentary training is the best expression of our appreciation," said Mr. Lark.

"Last year was a great success, we had individuals attend every seminar for a total of more than 300 participants for the week," said Mr. Lark. "We received positive comments about the seminars which deal with timely topics that are pertinent to the associates' jobs and responsibilities. By working with industry, we learn what their challenges are, and we offer seminars to coincide with their requests and needs."

This year's seminars will be taught by Tri-County Tech faculty, as well as consultants from throughout the Southeast. Courses will range from Lean Manufacturing to technical training, such as maintenance troubleshooting skills.

Mr. Lark urges industry representatives to register early for the classes they plan to attend. Seating capacity will be limited. If companies would like more than one person to attend a session, inform when you call. Registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Program Agenda
September 20

8:30 a.m. - noon
o Leading Change, by Jim Lamb, CEO of Results Leadership, a local affiliate of Leadership Management, Inc.
o Training Assessment Tools for Training Managers, by Karen Shobe, an instructor/coordinator with Tri-County's Business and Industry Training Department. Ms. Shobe is a certified Training Manager/Director.

1 - 5 p.m.
o Utility Auditing and Energy Management, by Ruth Ann Ferguson, president of Amalgamated Services & Consulting, Inc.

o Outstanding Customer Service, by Neal Williams, an instructor in Tri-County's Business and Industry Training Department. Mr. Williams has 30 years of experience in customer service with a large corporation.

September 21
9 a.m. - noon

o Labor Market Information, by Vicki Boylston and Carolyn Sanders. Ms. Boylston is supervisor of research analysis and reporting, and Ms. Sanders is supervisor of ES reporting and One-Stop with the South Carolina Employment Security Commission.

o Substantial and Sustained Cost Reductions (through organization of parts and tools), by Frank Murphy, owner of Inventory Management Services, Inc., which specializes in parts storage area and tool crib organization and set-up for reduced cost and improved efficiency.

1 - 5 p.m.
o Accordion Ideation and the Improvement Process, by Dr. Carl Lindenmeyer, professor emertius of industrial engineering at Clemson University and president of C-Four, a consulting firm.

o Establishing a Comprehensive Mechanical Integrity Program, by Drew Vadoothker, president of MEPS Group.

September 22
8:30 a.m. - noon
o Critical Issues in Supply Chain Management, by Don Reid, who holds a lifetime certification in purchasing management from the National Association of Purchasing Management, in addition to certificates in economics, business law, personnel management, metallurgy and foundry work.

9 – 10 a.m.
o A System for Capturing Enterprise Zone Retraining Costs, by Larry Finney, a CPA with Greene & Finney.

10 a.m. noon
o Enterprise Zone Retraining Incentives and Other Business Incentives, by Chuck Bundy, director of Existing Business Services for the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

1 - 5 p.m.
o Lean and Agile Manufacturing, by Andy Carr and W. Frank McIntire. Mr. Carr, a representative with SCMEP has more than 15 years of hands-on experience in operations management, project management and manufacturing engineering. Mr. McIntire, of Lockwood Greene Engineers, has more than 15 years of experience in the material handling industry as it is applied in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution.

o Commununicating through Geometrics and Personal Choice, by Kathi Christy, owner of Morday Creations and executive director of Personal Choice.

September 23
8 a.m. - noon
o Expert Troubleshooting Skills for Maintenance, by Stan Turkel.

9 a.m. - noon
o Workplace Violence, by Tony Trout, president of Pro-Teck Security Services.

1 – 2 p.m.
o Distance Learning Opportunities for Industry Through Business Link, by Carolyn Holderman, director of Business Link with SC ETV.

1 – 5 p.m.
o Expert Troubleshooting Skills for Maintenance, by Stan Turkel. This is a repeat of the morning session.

September 24
8 a.m. - noon
o Identifying and Measuring Workplace Skills, by Tom Bowman and Melvin Watson, both instructors/coordinators in Tri-County's Business and Industry Training Department.

o Fun Activities for Building Communication/Problem Solving Skills, by Ron Humphries, an instructor in Tri-County's Business and Industry Training Department.

For more information, contact Neil Lark, Ext. 2208, at one of these numbers: Anderson County, 225-2250; Oconee County -- 882-4412; Pickens County -- 859-7033; or Clemson/Anderson/Pendleton -- 646-8361.
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