Bank of America grants $7,500 to Spartanburg Community College Foundation for Operation Workforce Training in Cherokee County
August 13, 2018
Cherokee County will receive an economic boost courtesy of a $7,500 Bank of America Foundation grant to the Spartanburg Community College Foundation that will address the area’s regional workforce shortage. Grant funds will be used to train 50 individuals in the Operation Workforce Training program, which offers participants 65 hours of high-quality industry instruction and materials, and post-training interviews with partner companies who will hire trained employees full-time.
“In order for our community to thrive, we must work together to fill jobs with skilled employees,” said Stacy Brandon, Upstate S.C. Market president, Bank of America. “Through job training and quality instruction, this program is giving underemployed or unemployed individuals an opportunity for a rewarding career. We’re excited to support this training and to drive economic mobility in our community.”
Piloted in spring 2017, the program trains 50 students in high-demand career skills over two years. At the end of the grant period, participants will be employed full time, or will continue in additional educational opportunities. The program supports SCC’s efforts to address regional workforce gaps, the underemployed or unemployed, individuals in need of adult education/GED and training, and high school seniors with no post-graduation plans.
“This program helps us reach people who might otherwise slip through the cracks,” explains Daryl Smith, executive director of SCC’s Cherokee County Campus. “These folks have value, and they can be great assets to companies. This Bank of America grant gives us the means to prove that.”
SCC partnered with local industry in Cherokee County to design the program. Three partner corporations, Hamrick Mills, Nestle and Plygem, will offer program participants plant tours, as well as formally interviewing and hiring those who complete the program, providing full-time employment.
The Cherokee County School District will identify students to participate in the program, focusing on students from Blacksburg High School and Cherokee County Technology Center as a top priority. Additionally, the Cherokee County Adult Education program will participate by identifying and supporting adult education population participants.
Smith looks forward to seeing local residents employed and says, “We’re really excited about the Bank of America Foundation’s commitment to Cherokee County citizens. We’re glad the company recognizes what our citizens can accomplish.”
Registration for SCC fall semester classes is going on now. Fall classes begin onAugust 20, September 25, October 15 and November 1. Individuals interested in registering for classes can apply online at www.sccsc.edu or contact the admissions center at any SCC location for more assistance.
About Bank of America.
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 47 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 4,400 retail financial centers, approximately 16,100 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with approximately 36 million active users, including 25 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
About the Spartanburg Community College Foundation.
Since 1983, the Spartanburg Community College Foundation has provided assistance to SCC through scholarships, curriculum resources, equipment, facilities and grants that help students and faculty achieve educational excellence. The mission of the Foundation is to seek private and public resources to support the needs of students, faculty, and staff of Spartanburg Community College. For more information, visit www.sccsc.edu/foundation
