The Three Rivers Workforce Development Board (TRWDB), branded as WorkSource Three Rivers, has approved $1.5 million in training funds to support an industrial training project for Continental Tire facilities located within the Three Rivers Workforce Development Area.

Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties are members of the workforce area. Continental Tire has industrial facilities located in Barnesville and Hogansville.

The training project will be broken down into two phases over the remainder of 2018. The first phase will train approximately 270 workers to work on new equipment being installed in Continental Tire’s regional facilities, and the second phase will add approximately 100 new jobs as part of a local workforce expansion.

The first phase of training will be conducted by Southern Crescent Technical College. It is expected to conclude in July.

The second phase, involving the expansion activity, is expected to occur between July and December of 2018.

“This project is a partnership between the Three Rivers Workforce Development Board, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Southern Crescent Technical College and Continental Tire,” Robert Hiett said.

“Workforce development boards can assist local employers with projects that lead to an increase in skills, avert layoffs, and lead to an increase in wages. Additionally, workforce development boards can work with local employers to provide assistance for ‘on the job training’ when the employer is committed to hiring new employees, and training the employee for long-term employment at the job site. The training project for Continental Tire will also have a regional impact because talent development doesn’t stop at a city or county line,” said Hiett.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) workforce division has committed funding to support the training project as well, and GDEcD coordinates with local workforce development boards on similar projects around the state.

“We are excited to provide support to WorkSource Three Rivers as they launch this powerful training model,” said Ben Hames, deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s workforce division. “With thousands of advanced manufacturing jobs being created each year, on-the-job training programs like this one are essential to meet the growing needs of employers.”

The TRWDB works with business and industry across the 10 county region, and its staff consistently look for opportunities to help citizens and business with job training assistance.

In 2017, the TRWDB partnered with GDEcD, West Georgia Technical College and PowerTech/Hyundai to implement a similar project.

Industries that participate in specialized workforce training must contribute matching funds.

The total value of the first phase of the training project is $3.1 million dollars, and Continental Tire is contributing $2.5 million dollars in matching funds.

The TRWDB and GDEcD will contribute up to $947,696 for the on job training portion of the project, and Continental Tire will provide 50 percent in matching funds for the workforce expansion phase.

“WorkSource Three Rivers wants to develop more partnerships with area business and industry to get people trained and employed at a competitive wage,” Hiett said.

Worksource Three Rivers is the regional workforce development program overseen by the Three Rivers Workforce Development Board, and administered by the Three Rivers Regional Commission. The 10-county workforce development area includes the West Central Georgia counties of Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson.

Citizens who need job training, job search assistance, or other job related help can contact a WorkSource Three Rivers staff by calling (770) 229-9799, or by visiting the Three Rivers Regional Commission website at www.threeriversrc.com.