A $100,000 donation by Michelin North America will be used for scholarships and equipment in advanced manufacturing programs at Greenville Technical College (GTC).
Manufacturing in Greenville County is an economic powerhouse, placing first in Gross Regional Product and total earnings for all industries. It is responsible for the majority of annual capital investment in the area and creates the highest multiplier effect of any sector. Still, Michelin and other major manufacturing employers have an ongoing need to find people with adequate skills to fill job openings as our manufacturing workforce ages.
Michelin has worked with GTC to impact the skills gap through a number of measures. The Michelin Technical Scholars Program allows students to complete on-the-job training as they gain experience with Michelin while completing a degree. Though there is no guarantee of employment, graduates are considered for high-quality, entry-level jobs at Michelin as reliability technicians, working in key positions in the advanced manufacturing processes.
Michelin has also been supportive of the college’s effort to create a Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI). The idea for the campus began with the needs of employers, and as the concept was developed, Michelin and other leading manufacturers stood with the college, voicing support and providing input. As a result, Greenville County Council unanimously approved a $25 million bond to fund construction, which is now underway in advance of a planned 2016 opening.
“There is a significant benefit for Michelin in hiring locally when possible. First, we know that we will retain local workers longer, and secondly we are investing back into the community where we live,” said Pete Selleck, chairman and president of Michelin North America. “An important part of being able to secure local, career-ready reliability technicians is educational institutions such as Greenville Technical College that have high-value programs for people looking to work in this growing field.”
“With this generous gift and the company’s ongoing support of advanced manufacturing education, Michelin is helping us solve the challenges of attracting, developing, and sustaining a skilled workforce,” said Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College. “Working in partnership, we can ensure that advanced manufacturing and the Upstate’s economy grow and prosper.”