Caswell Residents to Benefit From New Initiative to Fill In Trade Act Gaps

Piedmont Community College students Gilbert Simmons and Cora Turner listened with interest as Karl N. Stauber, Danville Regional Foundation President and CEO, announced the awarding of a $1.85 million grant to Piedmont Community College (PCC) and Danville Community College (DCC) to supplement the Trade Act funds that displaced workers receive for retraining. The two Caswell County residents were long-time employees, first of Burlington Industries and later of ITG, both in Caswell County. Simmons and Turner are currently training for new careers at PCC and say the funds provided by the grant will allow them to complete their educational goals by filling in the funding gaps not addressed by the Trade Assistance Act, a federal program that assists displaced workers whose jobs have been eliminated due to foreign competition.

“It is a godsend,” said Simmons, a former ITG supervisor who is enrolled in PCC’s Facilities Maintenance program. After being laid off last May, he came to PCC to brush up his skills, having last been in school in the 1960s. After receiving his Career Readiness Certificate, he began PCC’s Facilities Maintenance program in August. As a displaced worker, he says one of the hardest things is maintaining health insurance for himself and his wife. The Trade Assistance Act pays 65% of the premium cost, but he must come up with the remaining 35%, which amounts to $385 per month. “This new program will help by taking the strain and worry off next semester,” Simmons said.

For Turner, the road was a little different. She began by successfully completing her GED in February and wants to enter PCC’s Medical Office Technology program. “I can’t start those classes until the summer (semester),” she said, noting that the Trade Act clock is ticking on the amount of time persons are given for retraining. “This will help me finish the program and get a degree.”

“As our community undergoes significant economic change, we can help working families gain the skills they need to succeed in this new economy. We are investing in this effort because it helps those that were contributing members of the old economy play that role in the new economy,” said Karl N. Stauber, DRF President and CEO, at a March 31 news conference at DCC to announce the collaboration.

Called “Pathways for Success: a Cross-Border Collaboration,” the grant funds totaling $1,850,355, will be used to help Trade Act students complete a degree, diploma or certificate in their program of study and provide resources to assist them in seeking employment. More than 330 students - 260 at DCC and 70 at PCC - are projected to benefit from this two-year initiative. PCC students must be Caswell County residents to be considered for the program.

“This grant from the Danville Regional Foundation will allow us to be in the forefront of the initiatives of Governors Tim Kaine and Mike Easley to cross state borders to improve the economic future of the region,” said PCC President Dr. H. James Owen. “This will expand economic opportunities for Virginia and North Carolina residents and the economic development options for both states. It will help support Caswell County residents in their quest for education and training for their future jobs.”

The specialized services the two colleges plan to provide include:

1. Supplemental unemployment needs-based payments: available to students who require supplemental and/or extended benefits.
2. Health insurance assistance: Federal regulations currently require students to pay 35% of the premium, with Trade Act paying 65%. The Pathways for Success initiative will cover 25% of the total premium with students paying only 10%.
3. Educational costs: assists students in paying college tuition beyond the Trade Act benefits, student fees, class supplies and textbook. Some students, especially those enrolled in two-year Associate Degree programs, need a minimum of one additional semester to complete their program, beyond Trade Act benefits. These include students who want to train in career fields not covered under Trade Act regulations, such as nurse assisting, medical technician, truck driving, rural entrepreneurship, advanced computer skills or business ownership.
4. Career Readiness Certification assistance: identifies  students’ competencies for future employment and provides the opportunity for skills assessment and to earn bronze, silver or gold certification.
5. Student transportation assistance: helps students whose Trade Act benefits have been exhausted to meet their travel costs of attending college.
6. Case management /job placement support: a case manager will assist Pathways for Success students at each college.

 “Workers in Danville and Pittsylvania County, Virginia and in Caswell County, North Carolina who have been displaced by Trade Act-eligible events, face severe hurdles in returning to the workplace,” said DCC President Dr. Carlyle Ramsey. “Trade Act students may need more time and assistance to complete their studies than the federal Trade Act currently provides. DCC and PCC will assist these displaced workers with training and services necessary for successful job placement.”

During the next three months, policies and procedures will be developed and personnel hired, including a full-time coordinator, two case managers, and two financial services assistants. The projected start date for the program is May 2008. Applications for program enrollment will be distributed beginning May 1.