PJC partners with Greenville businesses for grant

Published or Revised October 10, 2022

Business, legislative and college representatives helped with the presentation of a Skills Development Grant for $542,642 Friday morning at Paris Junior College – Greenville Center. The partnering businesses are Atrium Windows & Doors, Case New Holland America and Newell Rubbermaid.

As part of his welcoming comments Workforce Education Vice President John Spradling said, "Local businesses have partnered to improve employee training and the products they provide to the Greenville community. With the help of the Texas Workforce Commission, we are here to support their efforts."

"It's hard to believe it was just 14 months ago when we began meeting to put together the joint skills development grant request," said PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin. "This is the third time in 12 months that I've presented a check to Dr. Anglin and PJC," said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar. "I am very pleased to be here, and this is very beneficial for this community." He explained just the day before at a Fort Worth meeting he had talked of moving the economy and Texas communities forward and responding to the marketplace.

"Time and again I hear that Texas is the last place in the United States these companies are still doing business," Alcantar continued. "We are very pleased to partner with PJC and the three manufacturing companies to bring improvements to Greenville, Texas. We're going to help you succeed. Thanks to Governor Perry and the Legislature for the Skills Development Grant legislation and funding so we can continue this program. Building the capacity of community colleges and providing customized training improves the skills of our workers and PJC has added capacity to respond to these and other companies, moving us forward."

"This is a great way to finish a really good week," said District 2 State Rep. Dan Flynn. "Instead of telling you about cuts, I can hand you money. Community colleges are the best bang for the buck, and Paris Junior College is a real asset for our community." He went on to praise PJC students, as well as Dr. Anglin for coming with them, when they attended the visiting day for college students at the State Capitol.

"This is a great opportunity to make our industry stronger through our employees," said Jim Gonzales, plant manager for Atrium Windows & Doors. "We're not a big facility, but the majority of our employees will go to most of the training available. This adds enthusiasm and fire as we build our business."

"I have lived and worked in eleven states," said Steve Shaver, depot manager at Case New Holland. "This is by far the best collaborative effort I've ever seen and I can't thank you enough because this training is extremely valuable. CNH is owned by Fiat and we are going through a major restructuring and this helps so much. One of the best values in Texas are our people – they make it work."

"I've been involved with a lot of project grant writing in the states I've lived in, and this is the most successful I've seen," said Michael Grant, plant manager with Newell Rubbermaid.

"We've been here for 30 years, and have employees who have been with us since the beginning. We reinvest in them so we stay competitive and this is a great injection of horsepower in our training program. We're very appreciative."

"Local industry and business are extremely important to us," said Dr. Anglin in her concluding remarks. "Paris Junior College is all about serving our community's needs. Keeping employee skill levels up allows our local industry to stay competitive."

The grant will train 273 new and existing workers in advanced manufacturing and logistics skills, helping the companies improve operational efficiencies and productivity. Those trained will include set-up technicians, shipping/receiving associates and maintenance technicians. Upon completion of training, the workers will earn an average hourly wage of $18.60. For more information about workforce training at Paris Junior College, contact the Workforce Education Department at 903-782-0381.