South Shore Foundation Press Releases

Center offers training to improve job skills

A new partnership has been formed to bring more job training to Baxter and Marion County workers, businesses and industries. The South Shore Consortium, represented here by South Shore Foundation Trustee Jodie Jeffrey-Sanders (center) is now assisting the Center for Business, Industry, and Workforce Development at Arkansas State University Mountain Home. Phil Garner (left) is the director of the Center, and Ed Coulter (right) is chancellor of ASUMH. To set up or inquire about training for employees in Marion and Baxter County businesses, call Garner at 508-6133.

FLIPPIN, Ark. – Formation of the new South Shore Workforce Training Consortium will help businesses in Marion and Baxter Counties provide local job training for employees. Phil Garner, director of the Business, Industry, and Workforce Development Center at Arkansas State University Mountain Home, said the partnership with South Shore Foundation of Flippin will begin immediately.

Garner, who has more than 20 years of experience in employee training at Baxter Healthcare, said his vision for the new consortium is to be a "one-stop shop" for every employer in the area. "Call me first, before you plan to go to Dallas or St. Louis for any training. We can probably offer the same training here." Courses or workshops offered include technical, communications, manufacturing procedures, basic computer skills, software programs, and many others.

Garner emphasized that the Center for Business, Industry, and Workforce Development can develop programs that meet the employers' needs. "The Center has trained hundreds of employees in subjects ranging from computer software, algebra and statistics, to Lean Manufacturing techniques," Garner said. Programs are held both on the ASUMH campus and at the business sites. The Center provides high quality programs at an affordable cost to local businesses for their employees.

South Shore Foundation, the charitable foundation of Northern Arkansas Telephone Company, backs efforts to promote economic development of the South Shore area. "We value the work of the Center, both for the employer and for the individual employee," said Steven G. Sanders, president of the foundation. He continued, "Improving or updating job skills benefits both the worker and the business. We encourage all businesses in the area to look to the South Shore Consortium for the staff training they need."

In addition to job training for employees, the Center has two more departments: Adult Education offers reading and math tutoring, GED testing, English as a Second Language, and Literacy Task Analysis for businesses; Continuing Education offers non-credit classes on topics such as art, exercise, computer skills, motorcycle safety, fly tying, concealed handgun license course, etc.

Garner, a resident of Mountain Home for 25 years, worked at Baxter Healthcare in quality control, training and human resources. He holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in business from the University of Texas. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He and his wife, Vicki, are parents of two grown children. Garner is a member of the 2002 Board of Examiners for the Arkansas Quality Award.

Rita Pringle is the computer training specialist at the Center for Business, Industry, and Workforce Development. Lynn Jacobs is the secretary. To speak to Garner or his staff at Arkansas State University Mountain Home, call (870) 508-6106, e-mail pgarner@brook.asumh.edu, or write to Phil Garner at the Center for Business, Industry, and Workforce Development at 1600 South College St., Mountain Home, AR 72653.

For more information about South Shore Foundation, call 1-800-775-6682 or visit the Web site at www.southshore.com.