ManuFirst SC program provides manufacturing training for Berkeley County residents

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ManuFirst SC is kicking off a four-week training course to prepare Berkeley County residents for manufacturing jobs—and offering scholarships.

The sessions will run Aug. 16 through Sept. 15 at Trident Technical College’s Berkeley Campus and will provide necessary training for graduates to qualify for positions at industries in South Carolina. Participants will learn essential safety policies, communication best practices, quality standards, production processes and maintenance awareness, the county said in a release.

The program is a game changer for Berkeley County residents, said Corey McClary, workforce development manager for Berkeley County Economic Development.

“Manufacturing skills are vital to get people in the door of local companies and the high-paying jobs could change the future for their families and the community,” he said.

ManuFirst SC, rebranded by S.C. Department of Commerce, is a state-recognized manufacturing certification designed to provide a foundation for South Carolinians needing entry-level skills for manufacturing employment. Programs have been rolled out across the state’s technical college system because of industry demand.

A number of South Carolina manufacturing facilities accept completion of the ManuFirst SC training program as satisfying their requirement for job applicants to have one year of manufacturing experience, according to the Trident Technical College website.

“My office and the county, we recruit some of these industries to come to Berkeley County, and they want to come here, and they want to be here because of the great natural resources we have, the infrastructure already in place here and our people,” McClary said. “We want the residents here to be qualified and eligible for the high-paying jobs coming here.”

While the program normally costs $850, scholarships are available for Berkeley County residents who want to attend on a first-come, first-serve basis, McClary said.

All successful graduates of the four-week program will receive an OSHA-10 card and Yellow Belt Lean Six-Sigma certification. The course also will include preparation and testing for the MSSC Safety Certification Assessment. Materials will be provided.

The county launched the pilot program in June 2017 in partnership with Trident Technical College, S.C. Department of Commerce, Volvo Cars and Ready SC.

To qualify for a Berkeley County ManuFirst SC scholarship, participants must:

•           Be at least 18 years old

•           Be able to legally work in the U.S.

•           Provide documentation of Berkeley County residency

•           Have a high school diploma or GED

•           Provide proof of Bronze WIN/WorkKeys score