February 27, 2008
REWARD Students Graduate:  Next Class Starts March 31

A select group of students recently graduated from Northeastern Technical College’s  Rural Economic Workforce Alliance for Resource Development (REWARD) Program This is the fifth REWARD class to graduate from Chesterfield County.

The program is designed to provide industry with a specified degree of entry level work skills while also training individuals to obtain the basic skills needed to obtain or find a new job. 

Seated from left to right on the front row are Sheila Slade, of Chesterfield, Rebecca Nelson, of Cheraw, Felicia Lucas, of Patrick, and Carolyn Leak, of Wallace.  Left to right on the second row are Angela Gary, of Chesterfield, Fatima Hasan, of Cheraw, Marcus Grant, of Society Hill, and Robert Graham II, of Clio.  Seated on the third row from left to right are Brian Townsend, of Cheraw, Rodolfo Fuller, of Wallace,  Darren Cranford, of Chesterfield, Cassandra Lindsey, of Cheraw, Theresa Love, of Cheraw, and Travis Ellerbe, of Cheraw.  Not pictured is Callie Teal, of Cheraw.  

The REWARD program is a nine-week training program offered at no cost to participants who are accepted.  The program includes instruction in basic employability, workplace etiquette, mathematics and critical reading skills, industry specific safety practices and communication.  At the end of the course, the students are given a free WorkKeys assessment, which is used to match their skill set with employer needs.  Students also tour a local plant and have a job fair with local industry participating.

The program is for anyone over 18 who would like to improve their skills to obtain or find a new job.   

The next class in Chesterfield County starts on March 31 at Northeastern Technical College.  For more information on enrolling call NETC’s division of continuing education at 843-921-6926 or, pick up an application at NETC Cheraw or the Chesterfield  County One Stop.