Business Connections - Brief Article

Matrix: The Magazine for Leaders in Education, Oct, 2000

When Mehler, Inc., a member of the chemical and rubber industry, decided to open a plant in Martinsville, Va., company administrators had two goals: one, to find the best work force they could, and two, to have zero turnover.

Last October, with the help of the Virginia Employment Commission, Patrick Henry Community College, and the Henry County Workforce Development Initiative, Mehler undertook a pre-employment screening and assessment process that identified good workers and almost met that goal of zero turnover. A year later, only one person has left. Normally, a company can expect a 10 percent turnover for production associates.

The process included advertising and recruiting; an initial screening; an information session; assessment; and a four-day training workshop. The Henry County $1,000,000 Workforce Development Initiative Challenge grant, issued by the County of Henry and administered by Patrick Henry Community College to promote the educational and skill level of the local workforce, helped pay for the assessment and training.

Clayton College & State University and four other University System of Georgia colleges and universities are offering online courses this fall through Georgia

G.L.O.B.E., http:// www.georgiaglobe.org. Georgia G.L.O.B.E. is the University System of Georgia's distance learning initiative designed to offer one-stop access to class registration, online classes, class materials, and telecourses from USG schools. In addition to Clayton State, the other USG institutions that are Affiliates of Georgia G.L.O.B.E., are Columbus State University, Floyd College, State University of West Georgia, and Valdosta State University.