GREENVILLE, S.C., Dec. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Manufacturers in South Carolina need skilled CNC operators to meet customer demands, and they need to fill these positions quickly. Greenville Technical College will increase the pipeline of qualified workers thanks to a $65,000 gift from AdvanceSC, which will allow the purchase of simulation software and other equipment that accelerates training.

Funds will be used to purchase 20 seats of 3-D virtual immersion software, a PC and EMCO simulator, and four HAAS trainers. This equipment will allow the college to accelerate training for CNC operators and enable the college's Corporate and Career Development Division to offer a new accelerated CNC operator training program.

CNC operation training requires hands-on experience with CNC machines. Simulators allow students to practice CNC fundamentals before they use actual CNC machines.

"Some employers have hired outside of South Carolina because they couldn't find an adequate supply of qualified CNC operators here," said Keith Miller, president of Greenville Tech. "Thanks to this generous gift, we will be able to better support the hiring needs of local manufacturers as advanced manufacturing flourishes in our area."

"Simulators are becoming the norm in accelerating the hands-on component to education in computer numerical controlled machines," said Charles Wilson, department head at Greenville Tech for Machine Tool Technology. "This gift allows us to deliver instruction more efficiently and move more people through the program."

About Greenville Technical College

Greenville Technical College is a four-campus system where nearly 30,000 students are annually preparing for the strongest careers of today and tomorrow. Established in 1962, the college's mission is to drive personal and economic growth through learning. With more than 100 curriculum program choices along with short-term training for career and personal development, Greenville Technical College gives employers a ready supply of skilled workers and provides students with an education that will help them succeed.

For more information about Greenville Technical College, its programs, professors and partnerships, visit www.gvltec.edu.  

About AdvanceSC:

Established by Duke Energy in 2004, AdvanceSC assists communities in Duke Energy's South Carolina service area through grants for public assistance and economic development. The organization concentrates on advancing education to support industry, assisting other economic development organizations to attract and retain industries and enhancing the competitive position of manufacturers.

Duke Energy provides funding for AdvanceSC with 50 percent of its profits from certain wholesale or Bulk Power Marketing (BPM) sales of electricity in South Carolina. AdvanceSC is a Limited Liability Company managed by a Board of Directors independent of Duke Energy. For more information on AdvanceSC, please visit www.advancesc.org.

Contact: Becky Mann, 864.250.8305, becky.mann@gvltec.edu
Joshua Friesen, 864.250.8994, Joshua.Friesen@gvltec.edu  

SOURCE Greenville Technical College