Tri-County's World Class Training Center Offers
Training Courses During Industry Appreciation Week

CONTACT: JOHN BENSON, EXT. 1717

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9/11/2003
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Tri-County Technical College will present 14 complimentary training seminars focusing on improving manufacturing efficiencies and interpersonal and team building skills during the seventh annual S.C. Industry Appreciation Week (September 30 – October 2).

In addition to the networking opportunities, participants can gain skills for personal advancement, and organizations can become more familiar with manufacturing efficiencies and tools for improving the manufacturing process, said John Benson, director of the World Class Training Center.

"To show our appreciation for our business and industry partners, the World Class Training Center will present these informative seminars at no cost," said Benson. "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 faculty, as well as consultants from throughout the Southeast, will teach this year's seminars.

Richard Parker, an instructor in the World Class Training Center, recently became certified as a lead environmental auditor of IS0 14000 environmental management systems. This credential allows Parker to help area industries to develop and implement an environmental management system and to train their associates to reduce the industry's impact on the environment.

He will be teaching one of the 14 seminars, An Introduction to ISO 14000," on Tuesday, September 30, from 9 a.m. – noon. This class will help you to determine if the ISO 14001 standard will benefit your organization.

An additional seminar will showcase recent enhancements in technical equipment for maintenance managers and technicians. Scheduled for 1- 4 p.m. on October 2, participants will get a demonstration of the pneumatic and electrical training systems that can significantly improve the technical skills of a company's maintenance personnel. Jay Sloan, an instructor in the World Class Training Center, will give a training demo that can be customized to meet your needs and conducted at your facility during any shift.

"Our intent is for folks to see the capability we have to significantly improve the troubleshooting skills of their maintenance technicians," said Benson.

Other complimentary topics include Outdoor Team Activities, American Welding Society Certification Process, and Creating Proactive Customer Relationships. For a complete seminar schedule, contact Rana Sargent at 646-1716 or rsargent@tctc.edu.

Benson urges industry representatives to register early (by September 25) for the classes they plan to attend. Seating capacity will be limited. Registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Catherine Vinson at 646-1720 at the College, or e-mail her at cvinson@tctc.edu.
-30-