Industrial Training Consortium Begins New Certificate Program in January

Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com

BOWLING GREEN, KY- The Warren County Industrial Training Consortium has launched a new strategic initiative to assist business and industry. In partnership with local business and industry, Western Kentucky University's Center for Training & Development, Bowling Green Technical College, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, and the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, the Consortium has created the Industrial Training Consortium Supervisor Certificate Program.

This certificate program is designed to be completed in nine months and consists of nine core courses and six electives. WKU faculty and staff deliver the professional development courses, including basic business practices, time management, problem solving and customer service. Bowling Green Technical College provides technical training expertise for Lean Manufacturing and safety courses.

According to Warren County Industrial Training Consortium Board President, Tammy Monday, this program was developed as a result of industry demand. "Businesses in Bowling Green requested a strategic approach to training supervisors," said Monday. "This competency-based model will provide a focused program that will build skills for both current and future supervisors." The inaugural class began in January with 22 participants.

NASCO, a Bowling Green manufacturing company, enrolled five employees in the program. Senior Manager of Human Resources Gregg George said that the program appealed to him for several reasons. "Effective supervision is crucial to our success, and this program offers high-quality instruction at a very affordable cost," said George. "Once completed, our supervisors will possess the core competencies needed to continuously improve our processes and get good results through others."

Courses take place at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce on the first Thursday of the month from January to October, excluding the month of July. Core courses are taught in the morning, and electives are taught in the afternoon.

"We are pleased to support this new certificate program offered by the Consortium," said 2011 Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Rodney Rogers. "This is an excellent opportunity for business and industry supervisors to increase their leadership skills and further their workforce training."

Monday says she expects the program to be a huge success for the Consortium. "It gives us a great platform for creating other programs, as well," she said. The Consortium also offers a variety of additional workforce development courses to their members such as computer training, communication, teambuilding and more.

For additional information, visit www.wku.edu/ctd or contact Tammy Monday at 270-782-7397.

About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the 2009 Chamber of the Year, as named by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. The Chamber was honored with 5-Star Accreditation in 2009, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.