Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) and American Buildings Co. (ABC), a division of Nucor, are working together to offer the training and skills necessary for many of the jobs offered by the company.

ABC, located in LaCrosse, recently purchased additional software for use in the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) classes offered at the Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center (LCAKC) in South Hill. The software, TeklaStructures, is the same technology used by the local manufacturer in its detailing department.

The local plant has plans to expand its detailing department, leading to opportunities for those interested in learning a marketable skill. SVCC offers a program designed to train individuals interested in working as a detailer.

“American Buildings Company and Nucor offer career opportunities not just jobs,” Business Services Manager Greg Kuebrich said. “We are one of the only companies I have seen where teammates have started out as a painter on the shop floor or a detailer in the office and worked their way up to become general managers of a division. The opportunities are virtually endless for those with the right work ethic and initiative.”

Cindy A. Kirby, human resources and payroll coordinator for the Atlantic division of ABC, said the company is excited about the prospect of teaming with SVCC to help grow Southside Virginia workers’ skills.

“In 2016, Nucor was ranked number 26 on Forbes’ list of best employers in the Nation,” Kriby said. “American Buildings Company is proud to be a division of the Nucor Buildings Group and offer local employment opportunities to well qualified individuals.”

The company also hires welders from SVCC’s training program at the LCAKC. John Evans, welding instructor, said a number of his students have gone to work at ABC and there are two in a current class who work and continue to attend school at night.

SVCC offers a Career Studies Certificate in these two programs. Both are designed to give the student the skills and knowledge needed to attain entry-level work at ABC or similar manufacturing industries.

“These programs allow a working adult to commit a few hours in the evenings and gain a new career in less than one year,” CAD instructor Vincent Brown said.

Learn more about the educational offerings at an Open House at the LCAKC to be held Dec. 14 from 4-6 p.m. Representatives from ABC and from SVCC’s welding and CAD programs will be present to discuss the classes as well as current and future opportunities. Students may qualify for financial aid for these courses.

For information, contact Maki Malone at (434) 955-2252.