Where the jobs are

When you hear news about manufacturing, it's often about layoffs and shutdowns. However, there are still opportunities out there for some in manufacturing, in both the Pee Dee and the Grand Strand.

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One manufacturing company in Conway is actually growing, and with the help of a fledgling program at Horry Georgetown Technical College, some folks who've lost their jobs, may have new and even better opportunities for the future.

Only a few short years ago, construction work was abundant. And that abundance of jobs attracted a lot of people to the Grand Strand. John McLenaghan was one of those people, with a great job in charge of marble laying at a big hotel construction project, until the building boom went bust. "Most of my work mates left one by one, you just didn't know if you were gonna be the next one, and it was very disappointing to see it, especially when it comes down to you," McLenaghan said.

McLenaghan got help at the Coastal Workforce Center, which is an office of the South Carolina Employment Security Commission. They told him about a new course at Horry Georgetown Technical College that might give him an advantage at landing a manufacturing job. McLenaghan was one of the first students to complete that General Manufacturing Training Program (GMTP), with hopes of improving his prospects. It's a 4 week program that is designed to provide entry level job skills to those who want to work in manufacturing.

According to Neyle Wilson, President of Horry Georgetown Technical College, Horry County has a limited number of manufacturers, but a couple of firms are looking to hire, and one is actually doing a significant expansion. Metglas, a subsidiary of Hitachi Metals America, is one of those companies. It's manufacturing facility is located in Conway just across from HGTC. Meglas is the world's leading producer of amorphous metal ribbon, and its product is used for transformers, automotive parts, and anti-theft tags on CD covers.

Rachel Platt is Human Resources Executive Director at Metglas. "We have been managing and running this business now with Hitachi for right at 5 years and with that has come a lot of support and a lot of investment opportunities- our market is growing," Platt said. She also said that the strength of the company is in it's people. Metglas will add 25 jobs next year. "In this time, when other people are laying off, it's been a really good time for us to get some of the employees that have been laid off in other organizations. They come with great training; they come with good experience," Platt said.

Platt said that those who train through the new GMTP at HGTC come a lot more prepared than some who may have just moved to the area with no experience in manufacturing. John McLenaghan is hoping that training will give him the edge over other applicants for the jobs at Metglas. He's put in an application, hoping to get a fresh start for his life. McLenghan added, "being a new father and having a son, I find it's twice as expensive than just my own expenses. And for him to have a future, I want a stable working environment, to be a good example to my son." Entry level positions at Metglas start at $12 per hour, and Platt said the positions max out at $24 per hour.

Horry-Georgetown Technical College tracks the latest trends and projections of the hottest jobs, so that they can consider developing training for those positions. President Wilson said they are able to track those trends through relationships with 300 business and industry representatives. "Currently those jobs are primarIly going to be in healthcare- nursing, radiologic technology, surgical tech, respiratory therapy. We're also looking at physical therapy and other jobs that are listed in what they call the top 10 hottest jobs in America," said Wilson. To find out about the hottest jobs, and for educational opportunities that could improve your skills and your chances at landing a better job, explore the many web links we have provided below.