Top 10 Workforce Training Programs

A closer look at the South's best

By Don Hampton

John F. Kennedy once said, "Leadership and learning are indispensable to one another." If you want to lead, you have to learn to be a leader.

This axiom is especially true in business, where leading-edge companies must always be on the lookout for the best learning situations for their workers.

Southern states have long been at the forefront of providing training opportunities for business. State-sponsored workforce training programs provide excellent foundational and on-going development for workers, as well as improving the overall capability of the available employee pool. For companies and for the economy, it's a win-win proposition.

Here are our selections for the top 10 state workforce-training programs in the South:

1. South Carolina: Center for Accelerated Technology Training (CATT). Since South Carolina's workforce training program began in 1961, it has trained more than 198,000 people for new jobs in approximately 1,600 companies.

CATT recognizes that, for most workers in the 21st century, training "will be a lifetime learning experience." Services are provided at little or no cost to the company and are individually designed to meet the needs of the company.

2. Georgia: Quick Start. Since 1967, Georgia's Quick Start has been offered at no cost to new or expanding businesses within the state. Each program is custom-designed for the individual business, and is offered through a network of 34 technical colleges, 18 satellite campuses and four associated university programs. Quick Start programs are also available on-site.

Quick Start works with all types of businesses - manufacturing, services, distribution and corporate headquarters operations and others. The program has been utilized and recommended by companies like General Mills, Johnson & Johnson and E*Trade.

3. Alabama: Alabama Industrial Development Training. Alabama knows that companies need qualified workers who are able to hit the ground running.

Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) provides on-the-spot training at no cost for new and expanding companies. AIDT programs are mobile and flexible - they can literally pack it up and truck it to the company's facilities.

In addition to manufacturing training, AIDT offers an array of programs in management, quality and leadership.

4. Virginia: Virginia Workforce Development Services. Virginia Workforce Development Services (WDS) recognizes that companies need employees who are able to stay current on the skills to produce today.

That's why WDS features college training programs as well as apprenticeships. In 2003, the program delivered 8,707 customized non-credit courses and workshops to more than 97,000 students at 23 colleges. These courses provided training opportunities for approximately 3,600 different companies in the Commonwealth.

5. Oklahoma: Training for Industry Program (TIP). Oklahoma's Training for Industry Program has received rave reviews. Employers call it "invaluable," "integral" and "crucial." What makes TIP so powerful is its recognition that every company's most valuable resource is its people. TIP has provided no cost, quality employment training to some of America's most recognizable corporations - MCI WorldCom, American Airlines, Goodyear, General Motors, Whirlpool, and America Online.

6. North Carolina: Commission on Workforce Development. North Carolina was a pioneer in no cost, customized job training when its program began in 1958. North Carolina Community Colleges and their Customized Training and Development services continue that tradition. Specialized workforce training in the state meets each company's individual needs.

7. Kentucky: Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC). Kentucky's Bluegrass State Skills Corporation works with businesses and Kentucky's college system to provide training grants and investment credits for skills training programs. BSSC creates partnerships with businesses and offers an extensive network of training resources.

8. Tennessee: Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The state's community college system has played an integral role in Tennessee's explosive growth. In total, it has provided training opportunities for more than 150,000. Further, Tennessee offers customized employee training through Local Workforce Investment Areas.

9. Texas: Texas Workforce Commission. Texas invested $2.9 billion in the state's workforce development system in fiscal year 2000, showing the state's strong commitment to training.

Texas Workforce Commission works through 28 local workforce development boards to provide training services across the state.

10. Kansas: Kansas Industrial Training Program (KIT). The Kansas Industrial Training Program offers pre-employment and on-the-job training. KIT is a comprehensive and flexible program for both new and expanding companies.

In addition to KIT, Kansas offers IMPACT (Investments in Major Projects and Comprehensive Training) to fund training for major business expansions and locations.