Sumter Economic Development

Programs

Creating Customized Training Programs for Local Industry

In the late 1990s, the Sumter Development Board -- through its Existing Industry program's visitation and surveys -- discovered a significant shortage of skilled maintenance workers throughout the industrial community. So the Board pulled together a team to study and address the issue.

What they came up with is the Workforce Development Industrial Skills Training Program, a course of study designed by the Development Board, Central Carolina Technical College, and more importantly, the industries themselves. This rigorous 17-week course offered college credit to workers upon completion of the program.

The Sumter Development Board also took a lead role in the creation of the Industrial Medicine and Wellness Program at Tuomey Healthcare System. The program is an outgrowth of the Sumter Industrial Association's effort to manage rising healthcare costs. To accomplish this, the Industrial Association teamed with Tuomey to create a medical program operated by doctors trained in occupational medicine. Additionally, workers with minor injuries no longer need to report to the local emergency room where they sometimes wait for hours and incur large expenses. Instead, workers with minor injuries will spend less than an hour being treated by people trained in workplace injuries.

Special needs sometimes need special attention. With a track record of serving local industries and building coalitions between educators and employers, the Sumter Development Board and our educational partners are ready to create customized training programs wherever they are needed.