The Item - January 8, 2008

REWARD Program Pays Off For Graduates

By Sharron Haley
The Clarendon Sun Writer

MANNING — The first REWARD program has paid off for one of its graduates.

Vincent McCray, 44, of Manning needed a job but he didn't feel he had the skills to land anything that would pay what he wanted.

"I needed to better myself," McCray said. "With high technology jobs available out there, I needed WorkKeys. I didn't know anything about computers. I know now and I'm still learning."

Graduating from the eight-week Rural Economic Workforce Alliance for Resource Development (REWARD) program at the F.E. DuBose Career Center "opened doors for me," McCray said.

"The program was well worth it," he said. "The day after I graduated (Kay Finley with Trimaco) called me and offered me a job. This has encouraged me to go to college. I want my associate's degree in business administration. Without attending REWARD, I would not be going back to school."

Vincent McCray
Keith Gedamke

Vincent McCray operates a forklift at the Trimaco plant in Manning recently. McCray was hired by the company shortly after graduating from the REWARD program.

Finley, corporate human resources manager for Trimaco, a manufacturing company that makes "everything for the paint industry except paint and brushes," described McCray as a "good, very dedicated employee."

"I would like to hire everyone through there," Finley said. "The program gives potential employees the knowledge they need to be above-average employees. I would refer all industries and businesses to look at graduates of the program as future employees."

With McCray's success, several other current employees at Trimaco are considering the program as a means of advancing in the company.

"I've talked to a couple of guys here and some neighbors and told them how much the program helped me and they're now interested in attending," McCray said. "It's well worth it. It helped me."

The first REWARD class had 15 graduates and John Truluck, executive director of the Clarendon County Development Board, said he would love to see more residents participate in the program.

"The program is designed to help workers learn the skills necessary to find gainful employment," Truluck said. "The only way to compete today is with a more technically advanced workforce."

Vincent McCray
Keith Gedamke/The Item

Vincent McCray operates a forklift at the Trimaco plant in Manning recently. Vincent was hired by the company shortly after graduating from the REWARD program.

Julie Griffin and Ann Cutter with Clarendon Adult Education and Dr. Tim Hardee, president of Central Carolina Technical College, are credited with getting the program "up and running."

"Adult Ed made the program work," Truluck said.

The program includes coursework in interviewing, computers and work ethics as well as etiquette.

At a recent meeting of the REWARD board, the members agreed that the biggest problem the program is facing is finding candidates for the program.

"Some people are a little intimidated," Truluck said. "They shouldn't be. If they need help, this is the program for them. Most folks who have been fired or laid off don't know how to get the skills they need. This program will help them."

Alana Rogers, human resource manager at Federal Mogul and a member of the REWARD board, suggested that family members and friends talk to people about the program.

Truluck agreed.

"We need to get the message out," he said. "We need to encourage these people to take the program. If they need work skills, the program can help them."

For more information on the program or to get an application, call (803) 473-2531 or log onto www.REWARDSC.org .

Contact Staff Writer Sharron Haley at shaley@theitem.com or (803) 435-8511.

Need help qualifying for a job?

The Clarendon County REWARD program offers adults a chance to improve work skills through an eight-week program at F.E. DuBose Career Center.

For more information, call (803) 473-2531 or log onto www.REWARDSC.org