The Sustainable Opportunity Development Center, Inc. (The SOD Center) announces the expansion of The SOD Training Center.
The SOD Training Center offers a location in Salem, Ohio to help meet the training needs of area businesses. The expansion of services includes an Industrial Maintenance Readiness Program that will provide targeted entry level training in the Industrial Maintenance field. The training will include career readiness and technical training and placement with an employer. At the conclusion participants will acquire NIMS Credentials, OSHA 10- hour cards and entry level skills in Industrial Maintenance.
The SOD Center is a private not-for-profit 501c(3) economic development organization serving the City of Salem and surrounding areas. The SOD Center mission is facilitating growth to advance economic vitality and improve the quality of life for Salem residents.
Julie Needs, Executive Director of The SOD Center, commented that “We are very excited for the opportunity and partnerships this expansion brings to local manufacturing with targeted skilled training for entry level positions to not only Salem, but also Columbiana county that will assist in workforce growth and development for our local businesses.”
The SOD Center will be partnering with the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition on this project. MVMC will assist with program design and coordination.
“Collaboration among area workforce development agencies is often key to an efficiently run and successful program, and we believe the WorkAdvance model we bring to the partnership will help address the increasing demand for industrial maintenance workers in the region,” said Jessica Borza, MVMC executive director.
MVMC was formed in September 2011 by a group of small- and medium-sized, locally-owned manufacturers in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana Counties in Ohio solely for the purpose of “creating educational pathways to meet the needs of member companies for a skilled workforce.” The group is a grassroots effort led by industry with representation from public institutions of higher education, career and technical centers, county boards of education and public workforce systems.
With this expansion The SOD Training Center will also be adding a computer lab for computer-based learning courses or for use by those who may not have access to technology. The computer lab will aid the SOD Center in reaching and assisting under-represented populations as well as employers who may not have transportable technology for employees to attend computer courses.
The SOD Training Center will continue to offer courses and workshops to facilitate workforce development. With a focus on safety training, leadership development, workplace improvement, skills advancement and soft skills, Training Coordinator, Eva Slagle stated, “The SOD Training Center willcontinue to function as a facilitator, bringing professional trainers to our local community to offer cooperative training opportunities.”
Employers and participants interested in the Industrial Maintenance Readiness Program or the Computer Lab, please call the SOD Center at 330-337-7669.
The SOD Center looks forward to collaborating with MVMC, local businesses, workforce, and educators to expand workforce development for Salem and surrounding areas.
The SOD Training Center is located at 440 Pennsylvania Ave, Salem, OH within The SOD Center offices.
