Interns Provide Customized Training for Industry

CONTACT: BUTCH MERRITT, EXT. 1570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/14/2003
(By Lisa Garrett)

ANDERSON --- When Matt Fouchey was accepted as AFCO's first-ever Tri-County intern, he saw it as an opportunity to get his foot in the door and hoped it would turn into something full time after graduation.

In the short span of a year-and-a-half, 21-year-old Fouchey has gone from Industrial Electronics Technology major and part-time intern to production technician to his current position, maintenance technician. His quick advancement amazed Fouchey, but co-workers say he earned every promotion, and they are always looking for employees just like him.

"I couldn't ask for a better job," said Fouchey, "and I never imagined it would work out as well as it did. AFCO is a great place to work -- good people, good work environment and good compensation."

It's equally as beneficial for AFCO, says Shawn Clinkscales, human resource representative. "The intern experience gives us an opportunity to train someone in depth. He or she is paired with a senior technician to learn a specific job. It's a way to provide customized training for our organization. Because they are in a job-related curriculum at Tri-County, students have knowledge and are very teachable. Matt became a great employee," said Clinkscales.

"We pay 100 percent of the books and tuition, and the intern must maintain a C average. It's a great return on our investment," she said.

Fouchey attended classes at Tri-County and worked 24 hours per week for which he received a paycheck. "It's an incredible deal," he said.

Tri-County's cooperative education program is designed to help meet the needs of local industries in their search for highly skilled technicians, says Butch Merritt, director of cooperative education/ job placement at the College.

"The intern experience blends classroom studies with real work experience," said Merritt, "Being in a competitive job market, anything a student can do to enhance his or her education will help when looking for a job. Of course, the most valued asset is the curriculum-related experience."

David Stein, Fouchey's supervisor/team leader while a co-op, can't say enough good things about his work. "He is an excellent employee, and I made the recommendation to hire him following his graduation. He has a good work ethic, and he's very sharp – he learns quickly."

"Matt also has a better theoretical understanding of not just how, but why. I see that analytical thinking in other Tri-County grads working here," said Stein.

Stein, who himself earned degrees in General Engineering Technology and Industrial Engineering Technology, began working at AFCO in 1994 as production technician. "I knew I needed a better background to advance so I enrolled at Tri-County. I wouldn't have the position I have now without my degrees."

"And I wouldn't have been considered for my position if I didn't have my degree," added Fouchey.
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