The Workforce Readiness Initiative: Retention of Manufacturing in Southern Virginia (for Presto Products Company), at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) is off to a strong start. The first training classes for 200 entry-level employees were recently conducted by Frank Strickler, Senior Project Manager with the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VDBA). Strickler provided 10 Communication Skills workshops on January 23 & 25, 2012 at Presto's South Boston facility (pictured above). Communication Skills training was determined to be a good starting point for the organization-wide training initiative, and will serve as the foundation for much of the workforce training that will follow in the coming months.

For more information on the Tobacco Commission funded Workforce Readiness Initiative: Retention of Manufacturing in Southern Virginia contact Workforce Services@SVHEC at 434-572-5488, toll-free 1-800-283-0098 ext 5488, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 

 The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center recently hosted Rita Cox, President of Presto Products Company, as she and other local Presto employees met with SVHEC staff and toured the facility. While at the SVHEC, Cox was greeted by several local elected officials and community leaders at a small reception in her honor. Mary Rae Carter, Deputy Secretary for Commerce & Trade for Rural Virginia, delivered a personal welcome message on behalf of Governor McDonnell, and SVHEC Executive Director Dr. Betty Adams expressed the SVHEC’s gratitude for Presto’s investment in Halifax County. Over the past year, Presto has made significant investments in the South Boston facility, adding five new manufacturing lines and 22 new jobs. Following the reception for Cox, she and several employees at the South Boston Presto plant, were given a guided tour of the SVHEC campus, including the Innovation Center, TopSolid America CAD Lab, and Advanced Technology Lab.

This past September, the Tobacco Commission awarded the SVHEC a $301,400 grant for the Southern Virginia Workforce Readiness Initiative. More than 300 Presto employees in five job classifications will receive technical skills training in mathematical conversions, basic pneumatics, reading schematics, etc., and "soft" skills training in communication, workplace ethics, and teamwork during the two-year, employer-directed initiative. While Presto is serving as the pilot employer, the ultimate goal is to replicate the workforce-training program throughout Southern Virginia. Director of Workforce Services@SVHEC, Dr. Nettie Simon-Owens, commented on the TIC grant and Ms. Cox’s visit to the SVHEC stating, “We are thrilled with the award of the grant from the TIC and our collaboration with multiple educational training providers. We are excited about Ms. Cox’s visit to our campus and the opportunity to talk with her and some of the local Presto staff, including plant manager, Joy Johnson, about the significance of this organization-wide training effort. Our focus is on ensuring that the employers’ needs and expectations are met. We are grateful for Rita’s support for this project as well as her leadership team’s commitment to the development of Presto’s workforce.