PRIMUS Technologies Inc. Turns to Neighbor for Training Initiative

Published 06.27.2006

News

A group of PRIMUS Technologies Inc. employees gathers in a WDCE classroom as part of a companywide communications-training initiative. (Photo by Dan R. Rockwell, workforce development consultant)When a Williamsport electronics company recently needed communications training for hundreds of employees at its Reach Road location, it didn't have to look far. Help was just a block away at Pennsylvania College of Technology's Workforce Development & Continuing Education office.

Three Penn College faculty members Sandra Lakey, associate professor of speech communication/composition; Joseph Loehr, associate professor of English/mass communications; and Zelma M. Lang, part-time English/speech communication instructor provided three hours of training in April and June for about 350 employees of PRIMUS Technologies Corp.

"PRIMUS Technologies Corp. is ever committed to providing the highest-quality level of products and services and will pursue continuous improvement in all areas to achieve total customer satisfaction," said Samuel E. Shea, manager of human resources for the electronics company. "Making this statement come true does not happen unless we have highly talented and trained employees."

PRIMUS understands it has to invest in its workforce to maintain a competitive edge in the market, and communications/team-building training is one such investment, Shea said.

"We hope that this training will capitalize on a theme of continued improvement," he added. "All employees play a vital role in the service to our customers their input is critical. It is imperative that we ask questions and make sure we understand expectations in order to complete the task correctly."

According to William H. Herald, workforce development consultant, the training was a natural collaboration between PRIMUS and Penn College. Working closely with Shea, the college was able to tailor the training to PRIMUS's needs. Follow-up sessions will occur in the early fall to build upon the basic instruction already received, Herald said.

In addition to such customized training for business and industry, Workforce Development & Continuing Education offers noncredit education to enhance opportunities for individuals' job duties, career advancement and personal development.

For more about WDCE, headquartered in the Business and Technology Resource Center at 2401 Reach Road (about two miles west of the college's main campus), call (570) 327-4775, send e-mail or visit online.