The Path to Success Is Through REWARD

By JENNIFER BARTELL
Star & Enterprise Staff Writer

On a sunny afternoon in March, members of the Marlboro County REWARD program gathered for the opening of the Magic Johnson Family Resource Center in Bennettsville. At that ceremony they met to discuss the success of their program.

Companies such as Mohawk Industries Inc. and Musashi South Carolina Inc. have expanded operations in the county since REWARD began three years ago, a partner said. The expansions have meant more jobs. Upwards of 550 jobs could be created. Nearly 600 people have transitioned through the Marlboro REWARD site, Robert Johnson, a transition specialist at the center, said. "A hallmark of this program is that it is a community uplift for the workforce because it raises the workforce competency level," Gene Crawford said. Crawford is the Area Director for the Center for Accelerated Technology Training, and is collaborating with Marion County REWARD partners.

"Magic Johnson would not have made an investment in the county, if the REWARD program was not active in Marlboro County," Herbert H. Gould, director of the Marlboro County Adult and Community Education center, said. The Magic Johnson Foundation provided some $200,000 to the center and the S.C. Department of Commerce provided $170,000, according to local reports, to make the technology center a reality.

"There are success stories of individuals throughout the program," Crawford said. Those stories are in the process of being made in Marion County and one in the making is that of Fredrick Ferguson of Florence.

An amazing opportunity

Ferguson awoke at 3 a.m. every morning for the past four years to work at ArvinMeritor. All that changed when he was laid off from the plant in November. He had worked at the company for 10 years and was a Mullins resident before moving to Florence.

"I didn't know anything about going back out for a job," the 30-year-old said after a REWARD class session recently. While Ferguson touted the benefits of the REWARD program, partners met to discuss details of transporting students to a Florence forklifting class.
"It makes you want to strive to do more - it's a whole lot more than plant lifestyle - it makes you realize that there's more opportunity out there," he said of the REWARD program.

The classes, he said, give him a sense of closeness to others and deal with a variety of workforce training, not just math and reading skills. For instance, they include computer skills, anger management skills, interview skills and more, Ferguson said. The program has even awakened a career opportunity he had put on the back burner: physical therapy. "When I go home, I advise anybody to look into (the program). Excuses came up for me, but I pressed my way through and I'm glad I did."

His former supervisor at ArvinMeritor, Cindy Moody, who is now the administrative assistant for REWARD, called him about the program.
"I was a bit skeptical at first, but I remembered an aunt who told me that whatever you learn, no-body can take that from you," he said. In a competitive job market, taking the tools that REWARD gives into every job interview is important, he said. "Employers are looking for someone who stands out; REWARD helps you do that."

To anybody looking for workforce training Ferguson says to come on out and take the class because it's a blessing. "I see people on the streets and I say 'hey come to the REWARD program. It's amazing and it's free.'"

Reprinted with permission of Media General. This story was first published in the Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise.