Screenshot 2021 03 18 104642
Office of Communications

Office of Communications

Denmark Technical College offers ManuFirstSC program to Barnwell County residents

Denmark Technical College, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Southern Carolina Alliance have partnered to bring residents of Barnwell County the opportunity to participate in a five-week training program that prepares potential employees to begin a career path in manufacturing.  

A full scholarship will be awarded to all participants of the program.  

“We were thrilled to learn that the Southern Carolina Alliance and their partner organizations would be providing funding so that students could take advantage of this unique opportunity at no cost to them. Removing the financial barriers that exist makes education more accessible to those who need it the most,” said Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College.  

The cornerstone of the expedited manufacturing certification course is ManuFirstSC, a public-private initiative originally developed between Volvo Cars, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Trident Technical College, readySC and Berkeley County, designed to bridge the gap entry- level workers face when seeking manufacturing positions.  

“To ensure our workforce meets the needs of both existing and future industry, Team S.C. takes an innovative approach to recruiting and training employees in all corners of our state,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “The ManuFirstSC program not only helps prospective employees jumpstart manufacturing careers, it creates a pipeline of talented workers for our industry partners – reducing the skills gap and enlarging our state’s manufacturing talent pool.”    

“With the demand for manufacturing experience by our local Industry, we needed a fast-track method to get workers prepared to fill more skilled and higher paying jobs. The ManuFirstSC program, offered by Denmark Tech, will quickly prepare less skilled jobseekers for these positions,” added Danny Black, president and CEO of the Southern Carolina Alliance.  

Upon completion of the new expedited manufacturing course, students will have earned the ManuFirstSC Certificate, Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Microburst Employers Choice Certification and the OSHA-10 Card. They will also qualify to sit for the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council Certified Production Technician Safety Exam, which certifies that individuals demonstrate mastery of the foundational, core competencies of advanced manufacturing production.  

“The expedited manufacturing certification is a robust program that offers students an in-depth study of manufacturing fundamentals over the course of a few short weeks, quickly preparing them to fill in demand jobs that pay well above average for entry-level positions,” said Dr. Hadi Hamid, dean of industrial related technologies at Denmark Technical College.  

“One of the biggest deficits in potential employees today is the lack of essential skills such as time management, communication and presentation. The addition of the Microburst EmployABILITY Soft Skills curriculum is a game changer, giving students the well-rounded skill-set they need to launch a successful career in manufacturing,” added Harry McFadden, Denmark Technical College’s director of workforce development.   

To qualify for the program, students must have a high school diploma or equivalency and Bronze WorkKeys job readiness status. However, prerequisites may be earned in tandem with program enrollment. ASVAB is required for military and veterans. A drug screen and background check will be required for all participants.   

The course runs March 29-April 29, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., at the Denmark Technical College Barnwell Technology and Educational Center located at 1037 Ellenton St., Barnwell. 

To learn more about this opportunity, visit denmarktech.edu/manufirstsc or reach out to Harry McFadden at 803.809.7016. 

Share this post