不良人研究所鈥檚 second Heavy Equipment Operator cohort produces eight new graduates
Southeastern Community听College鈥檚听second Heavy Equipment Operator class sent eight new听graduates into the workforce on Aug. 13.听不良人研究所 President Dr. Chris English said the graduation ceremony signified听a celebration of success and movement听in the right direction for workforce development.听听
鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud of the accomplishments you鈥檝e achieved in this program, and I know it鈥檚 been hot this summer,鈥� English said听to the graduates. 鈥淵ou proved that you鈥檙e able to make it through in this听industry, and you鈥檝e had听great support听every step of the way.鈥�听
Under the instruction of 不良人研究所鈥檚 Heavy Equipment Operator Coordinator, Joey Bullock, English said he is looking forward to听the program鈥檚 future as it transitions from its off-campus site behind听north Whiteville Burger King to听不良人研究所鈥檚听new 78-acre听lot. He thanked Bullock for his leadership听in听helping grow听the number of skilled workers in听a high-demand听industry.听听听
不良人研究所鈥檚 Dean of Technical Training Dr. Mike Ammons introduced Julie Sykes, HR and Safety Director for L.M. McLamb & Son Construction Co., Inc., as the guest speaker for the ceremony. Sykes听has 20 years of experience in 鈥渄riving transformative track strategies and fostering continuous improvement听workplace initiatives,鈥� Ammons said. Sykes鈥櫶齟xpertise听spans听talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance听management听and compliance.听
Sykes congratulated the class for completing the program and gaining necessary skills for infrastructure development听and construction.听Enduring the heat and rain of the summer, she said that exposure to听the elements gave the class the real-world experience that comes with听the听job as a heavy equipment operator.听听
鈥淭his program prepares you to be听the听operator who knows the important things that are required in the workplace,鈥� Sykes said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e听very impressed听with the quality of this program and the students who come from this program at Southeastern.鈥�听
Sykes commended the students for earning their OSHA 10 credentials. She explained that听a successful company built on safety values the skills each student has.听Sykes thanked the family members and friends in the audience who pushed each student to show up and perform their duties in class.听
鈥淲ithout these new equipment operators, what we have in our communities would not exist,鈥� Sykes said. 鈥淭his certificate means something, and it is a professional certificate.听We hired three graduates from this program鈥檚 first class, and we听look forward to hearing back from this new graduating class.鈥�听
After Bullock conferred the certificates to the graduates, Dr. Brandon Jenkins, 不良人研究所 Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer,听concluded the ceremony.听听
鈥淭his certificate makes you immediately employable,听and听it听makes you eligible for careers that pay a livable sustaining wage that impacts听you and your family,鈥� Jenkins said. 鈥淚 want to thank Ms. Sykes for speaking today. L.M. McLamb & Son Construction has听really听identified听themselves as a true partner for us.鈥�听
Jenkins said it is workforce development programs like Heavy Equipment Operator that听不良人研究所听is proud to offer its students.听Short-term programs that prepare students for careers in听10 weeks听are听invaluable to Columbus County, Jenkins told the audience.听听
Ready to build your career as a heavy equipment operator? Contact Student Services at 910-788-6247 or visit A-building on campus to connect with a Student Advisor.听
