Posted January 20, 2016

 

BELMONT, N.C. – The State of North Carolina has allocated a lump sum of $150,000 to Gaston College’s Textile Technology Center (TTC) to address key training issues associated with rapid growth, the TCC reported.

 

The funding, which the TCC said has been deemed recurring, came in response to the resurgence of textiles in the state and the substantial amount of new investment in new textile-related plants, Dr. Joseph Keith, dean of the Gaston College Kimbrell1Campus &

Textile Technology Center, noted in an email.

 

Based upon industry input, five focus areas were identified for training resources and money. According to the TTC, a multifaceted approach was undertaken by the Textile Training Initiative team and programs were designed and implemented to address four of these areas:

 

Individualized equipment training at the customer site;

Open industry training;

Limited textile labor pool; and

the Textile Technology Center resources/services.

 

North Carolina textile companies were offered opportunities to participate in these various training activities, Keith said. Attendance was high and the feedback on the value and effectiveness has been positive, he said.

 

One hundred forty-two personnel were trained from 48 participating companies. Textile training was also provided to 199 N.C. CTE students and staff. Training plans for next year are currently being formulated, pending passage of the 2015/2016 N.C. state budget and the inclusion of this recurring money.

 

Source: Textile Technology Center