Quick Start
revs up engines

Venerable Statesboro employer Briggs & Stratton needs to train some of its 830 employees on new robotic equipment, and Quick Start and Ogeechee Technical College will once again be providing the training.

“Quick Start helped Briggs & Stratton from the beginning, and as we progressed Quick Start was there for us,” said Plant Manager Jim Philippi at the recent training plan signing. “We’re now in our eighth year here, and we’ve asked them to help us again.”

Briggs & Stratton qualified to receive Quick Start services under legislation that allows an existing industry to receive training assistance if it’s acquiring new technology, equipment or processes.

“The existing industry provision is a wonderful idea to help businesses stay viable and compete,” said Dr. Stephen Deraney, Ogeechee Tech president. “It also allows us to link with industry partners, and make sure our graduates have what they need to get good jobs.”

Briggs & Stratton produces more than 1 million lawn-mower engines per year at its 470,000-sq.-ft. facility. The Bulloch County company won the 2002 Manufacturer of the Year award in the large-employer category.

Chico’s has jobs in store

The Winder area is getting 100 new jobs with the recent construction of a distribution center for the Chico’s apparel chain. The center will feed more than 350 stores nationally, taking over distribution from the existing facility at the retailer’s headquarters in Fort Myers, Fla. The new distribution center will hire another 80 employees by year’s end to handle the 3,000 boxes expected to be shipped daily.

Quick Start training has been taking place since last fall and will wrap up this spring. The company enlisted the services of Quick Start and Lanier Tech to train workers in the overall operations of a distribution center as well as productivity enhancement and job-specific skills. Quick Start is also designing and developing training material and conducting instructor training.

Even after the distribution center is fully operational, Lanier Tech will be available to assist Chico’s with ongoing training programs. “Lanier Technical College is very excited to be working with Chico’s,” said Dr. Michael Moye, Lanier Tech president, at the recent training plan signing.

Seated, from left, are Dr. Michael Moye, Lanier Tech president; Pete Ryan, Chico’s VP of logistics; and Gwen Stone, Chico’s HR director. Standing, from left, are Joe Bidinger, Chico’s director of distribution; Meredith Cartmill, Barrow County Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Authority president; and Eddie Elder, Barrow County Commission chairman.

Welding forces

Kubota Tractor Corp., which already employs some 700 Georgians, is hiring more than 100 new workers at its Gainesville plant in welding, crating and assembly. The company has worked with Quick Start on previous training projects and is now utilizing Quick Start’s mobile welding lab and welding curriculum.

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