9/4/2009
Kronotex registers the first federally-recognized apprenticeship program in Barnwell County
Barnwell, S.C., September 3, 2009 – Kronotex U.S.A., Inc., a forerunner in the laminate flooring industry, breaks away from the pack once again by sponsoring the first registered apprenticeship in Barnwell County. Apprenticeship Carolina™, a division of the South Carolina Technical College System, is pleased to announce that Kronotex is sponsoring a federally-recognized apprenticeship program for Electromechanical Technicians. The program will consist of on-the job training along with job related education.
“Kronotex Laminate Flooring is proud to lead the way in Barnwell County, partnering with Apprenticeship Carolina™, Denmark Technical College and the US Department of Labor in providing apprenticeship training for our maintenance staff. The agency personnel that were involved in the process made it very easy for Kronotex to establish the program,” said Jeff Martin, human resources manager at Kronotex.
An apprenticeship is a time-tested method of employee career development that combines supervised on-the-job learning and job-related education. A program “registered” with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) shows an employer’s visible commitment to developing a high-quality workforce that meets nationally recognized training standards. Registered apprenticeship programs also enable employees to receive incremental wage increases as they demonstrate new competencies throughout the training program. Kronotex’s apprenticeship program will train participants on the job for four years. Participants will also receive job related training in classroom and lab environments through Denmark Technical College. The college will also provide a skills-based, interactive technical learning component of the program.
“The team at Kronotex should be commended,” said Johnny Williamson, Chairman of SouthernCarolina Alliance. “Not only are they taking steps to ensure the success of their operations for many years to come, they’re providing opportunities for career advancement for their employees through skills enhancement and incentives.”
Williamson added that the Apprenticeship Carolina™ program has been offered to local industries throughout the region.
“Melinda Eagle and the Apprenticeship Carolina team have been working diligently with our technical colleges and our industries to make this program as accessible as possible,” said Williamson. “It’s a great opportunity for our industrial community, and a ‘win-win’ for the employer and employee.”
“Apprenticeship Carolina™ has enjoyed a number of impressive accomplishments since its inception in 2007, including a 123% increase in the number of registered programs in our state as well as a 111% increase in the number of apprentices. However, the statistic that brings me the most pride is the fact that just this year alone we’ve helped to establish registered apprenticeship programs in 11 counties across our state identified as distressed, least-developed or under-developed,” said Ann Marie Stieritz, director of Apprenticeship Carolina™. “Apprenticeship Carolina™ and the SC Technical College System are dedicated to workforce development in all areas of our state. We work very closely with our partners to ensure the success of our initiative The registration of Kronotex’s apprenticeship program — the first in Barnwell County and supported by a grant from our partners at the State Workforce Investment Board grant — is a testament to this dedication.”
Kronotex U.S.A., Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the KronoGroup Switzerland. As an integral part of the company’s worldwide strategy, Kronotex USA constructed a modernized manufacturing facility in Barnwell, S.C. in 2005. Their business is to serve a select group of distributors and larger retailers, and to provide information and direction to consumers interested in Kronotex products. Kronotex USA maintains inventories in Barnwell, SC and Graniteville, SC, and does business across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. These factories are vertically integrated to manufacture virtually all of the component parts of the finished products within the same or adjacent factories. The primary products are particleboard, MDF and OSB wood panels; decorative, wear resistant and balancing melamine impregnated overlays and thermosetting resins. These primary components are then further fabricated by laminating, finishing, cutting and machining to create products like laminate flooring, cabinet and furniture parts, wall paneling and structural building panels for sale to construction, industrial and consumer markets. For more information about Kronotex U.S.A., Inc, visit www.kronotexusa.com.
Apprenticeship Carolina™ is a new division of the South Carolina Technical College System that works to ensure all employers in South Carolina have access to the information and technical assistance they need to create demand-driven registered apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship consultants are available to guide companies through the registered apprenticeship development process from initial information to full recognition in the National Registered Apprenticeship System. These services are available to South Carolina employers free of charge. Interested employers are encouraged to contact Apprenticeship Carolina™ at (803) 896-5287 or to visit www.apprenticeshipcarolina.com. |
