Clemson Leads Statewide Virtual Training Program

Clemson University announced on Wednesday that it will be leading the development of new statewide workforce training centers, collaborating with technical colleges in Greenville, Charleston and the PeeDee.

Funded by a $2.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the program will focus on virtual technology to train the next generation of technicians and engineers in South Carolina's booming aviation and automotive industries.

"Our goal is to develop more qualified technicians to work in industries that drive the nation's economy," said Anand Gramopadhye, director of the centers and chair of the department of industrial engineering at Clemson.

The university will be partnering with Greenville Technical College, Trident Technical College and Florence-Darlington Technical College.

"When we talk about what our state needs, we need our universities, technical schools and businesses to work together," said Clemson University President James Barker. "The announcement we're making today is clearly a step in that direction."

Each school will host resource centers for training for new staff at regional manufacturing giants like Boeing and Robert Bosch in North Charleston or BMW in the Upstate. These programs could also provide continuing education for existing staff.

"We know it's a myth that manufacturing is disappearing in our state," Barker said. "Look around you, South Carolinians are building cars, tires, engines, turbines and jets for the world market."

To remain competitive in that world market, South Carolina needs the skilled labor to fill these plants, says Gramopadhye.

"The Achilles' heel of our state is not going to be whether we can attract industry, it is going to be whether we can provide this industry with the talent that they need."

Over the next year, the centers will be developing virtual lessons that can enhance existing curriculum at the different technical colleges.

The centers will also be reaching out to students in elementary, middle and high school, says Gramopadhye.

"We start early so we prepare our students who will be the future technicians and engineers," he said.