Savannah, GA – Four months after starting welding training with Savannah Technical College, six U.S. Army transitioning service members have job offers with Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagula, Miss. and in Newport News, Va.

“Employers value and understand the work ethic that service members bring to the job,” said STC Military Outreach Coordinator Jeff Ashmen. “But quite often separating service members lack the technical skills necessary for employment. Savannah Technical College’s career skills program is an opportunity for active duty service members to get retooled to quality for jobs after military service.”

The College’s welding training for these students was provided through state and federal grants, along with additional funding from Huntington Ingalls Industries. Students attended welding classes during their normal duty day, Mondays – Thursdays. Commander approval and pre-employment screening were required for them to participate. Training occurred as part of the Soldier for Life VOW Act and became the soldier’s place of duty.

“The partnership between Fort Stewart, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Savannah Technical College provides soldiers and families with a wonderful opportunity to prepare for their post active duty careers and begin the next part of their lives,” said Geoff Miller, President of Transitions Assistant Support, LLC.

During the 16-week full-time program including hands-on, competency-based structural and pipe welding instruction, students completed 32 college hours and earned five welding technical certificates of credit (TCC): Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder, Vertical Shielded Metal Arc Welder, Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder, Flux Cored Arc Welder, and Gas Tungsten Arc Welder TCCs.

“Huntington Ingalls Industries remains committed to becoming a leadership factory,” said Fred Howell, Huntington Ingalls Industries Director of Talent Acquisition.  “Through our partnership with Savannah Technical College, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, we are creating great shipbuilders, but more importantly, we are creating future leaders for our organization.”

Transitioning service members, who participate in welding training completion, will have a high probability of employment with Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi or Newport News, Va.; will be tested at the end of the training period prior to final job offer; will be offered a job opportunity upon successful completion of the training; and will continue with on-the-job training while working with experienced craftsmen at Ingalls.

The average starting salary for pipe welders is $19.46 per hour or $40,476.80 annually.

The next welding cohort begins October 11, 2017. For more information about military services or enrollment, visit www.savannahtech.edu/military or contact STC’s Military Outreach Coordinator Jeff Ashmen (912.443.4155 or jashmen@savannahtech.edu). Eligible students may qualify for additional stipends, under provisions established under the post 9/11 GI Bill. Please consult with a VA representative or visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp for further information.

Savannah Technical College is a regionally accredited Institution of Higher Learning and approved to participate and administer Veteran’s Education Assistance programs.

Ranked #1 in the U.S. as “Best for Vets” in 2016 by Military Times for Career & Technical Colleges, Savannah Technical College has the largest enrollment of military-affiliated students in the Technical College System of Georgia. One in four STC students is a veteran, active duty service member or a military dependent/spouse. The College waives all general mandatory fees for active duty service members using military tuition assistance. In 2015, the College opened a Veteran’s Service Center at the Savannah campus.

About Huntington Ingalls Industries (Pascagoula, Miss.)

For 78 years, the employees of Ingalls Shipbuilding facilities have pioneered the development and production of technologically advanced, highly capable warships for the surface Navy fleet, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, and foreign and commercial customers. Ingalls Shipbuilding is the largest manufacturing employer in the state of Mississippi and a major contributor to the economic growth of the state Alabama as well. For more information, please visit Ingalls.huntingtoningalls.com

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#1808 | September 29, 2017

STC Military Services Coordinator: Jeff Ashmen
912.443.4155 or military@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah, GA – Certified Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) Certification is now available through a new course at Savannah Technical College. This training sets the global standard for best practices in logistics, transportation and distribution.

The 12-week course begins October 17, 2017 and will meet 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the STC Crossroads Campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407). The program has been designed to accommodate schedules of participants from Savannah’s port, warehouse and distribution organizations, as well as anyone interested in advancing their career prospects in the industry.

The CLTD certification sets employees apart in the global supply chain, according Bill Stankiewicz, Controller & Supply Chain Executive at Port Fresh Logistics. “This credential helps people advance in their jobs and helps to get you hired.  I endorse them 100%,” said Stankiewicz.

Offered through the College’s office of Professional Continuing Education and Economic Development, the CLTD credential coursework is presented in an educational partnership with the newly formed APICS Savannah Chapter. APICS is a globally recognized Supply Chain Trade Organization.

Created by APICS and a team of subject matter experts, the CLTD designation covers a comprehensive body of knowledge that sets the global standard for best practices in logistics, transportation and distribution.  The course includes modules on Logistics and Supply Chain Overview; Capacity Planning and Demand Management; Order Management; Inventory and Warehouse Management; Transportation; Global Logistics Considerations; Logistics Network Design; and Reverse Logistics and Sustainability.

Interactive, web-based study tools will help students create a personalized path toward success with innovative tools to assess current knowledge and identify areas for improvement, section-specific tests with immediate feedback plus study aids to prepare for the CLTD exam, and practice tests.

About APICS Savannah (www.apics.org )
Supply chain and operations management is one of the fastest growing professions globally, creating great demand for top notch, highly competent professionals. APICS research, education and certification advances supply chain professionals to excel in the profession and become the leaders who will transform supply chain organizations for peak performance.  APICS Savannah is here to create exciting possibilities for current and future supply chain leaders to deliver, innovate and impact our world.

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1807 | September 20, 2017

Savannah Technical College Office of Professional Continuing Education
912.443.3012 or continuinged@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Chef Jean-Yves Vendeville, department head of the Culinary Institute at Savannah Technical College, will be honored at the 14^th annual Opportunity Award Gala, December 1, 2017. The event, hosted by the Savannah Technical College Foundation, honors deserving civic leaders in our community for a lifetime of service in creating and enhancing opportunities for others to succeed.

This year, the STC Foundation honors Vendeville for his leadership and commitment to improving the quality of life in Savannah. From more than doubling enrollment for culinary students to developing a baking and pastry program for the state of Georgia to earning the top educator in the U.S. by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), he has created opportunities for others in the Savannah area and beyond.

In June 2017, Vendeville received the French academic palms, the oldest non-military honor given by his home country, France. This high honor is similar to being knighted. His ceremony to receive the palms will take place at the Gala on December 1. French Academic Palms recognize those who have rendered eminent service to French education and have contributed actively to the prestige of French culture.  For those who are named to and promoted in the Order of the French Academic Palms (l’Ordre des Palmes académiques), this esteemed distinction acknowledges their merits, talents, and exemplary activities.  He will henceforth be known as Chevalier De L’ Ordre Des Palmes Academiques.

In 2014, Vendeville earned the high honor of winning ACF Chef Educator of the Year at its national convention after being named top Chef Educator of the Southeast Region. In July 2016, he was inducted into the ACF honor society, the American Academy of Chefs.

He was named 2012 Instructor of the Year by the Technical College System of Georgia and 2012 Chef Educator of the Year by the Low Country Chapter of the ACF. He has led student teams to win four ACF Southeast Regional Championships – in 2010 in the Hot Food Team competition and back-to-back wins in the Knowledge Bowl competition in 2011 and 2012 and recently in 2015.

At the 2012 ACF Southeastern Regional Conference, Chef Vendeville received the top ACF award – the President’s Medallion. This award is the ultimate honor for a lifetime of commitment and service to the standards and excellence ACF exemplifies. He has achieved his ACF Lifetime Certification as an Executive Pastry Chef and holds a Lifetime Certification as an Executive Chef from the Chef Association of America.

The Culinary Institute of Savannah ACF-accredited culinary arts program has been described as the “best in the U.S.A” by its ACF accreditation review board. According to his committee chair, the Culinary Institute of Savannah, offering ACF-accredited diploma and degree programs in culinary arts, has gone “well over and above the standards and expectations for a technical college teaching facility.” The committee recommended that the program receive the maximum accreditation time of seven years, when the average is three years.

The event gathers 300 community and civic leaders for a celebratory evening honoring a special individual. The evening also showcases the talents of students enrolled in Savannah Technical College’s award-winning Culinary Arts programs. Proceeds go to support the Savannah Technical College Foundation. Past recipients include: Former Governor Zell Miller, Arnold Tenenbaum, Judge Griffin Bell, Tom Coleman, Dick Eckburg, Arthur M. Gignilliat, Jr., Bob and Alice Jepson, Howard Morrison and Stratton Leopold.

The Opportunity Award Gala is a fundraiser for the Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that raises funds to support Savannah Technical College. For ticket and sponsorship information, contact Gail Eubanks geubanks@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.3022.

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#1806 |  September 15, 2017
Foundation Contact: Gail Eubanks
912.443.3022 or geubanks@savannahtech.edu

Culinary Arts/Public Services Academic Advisor: Amber Robinson
912.443.5719 or arobinson@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College will resume classes and be open for business as usual at all campus locations on Thursday, September 14, 2017.