SCC begins state’s first injection molding program

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Spartanburg Community College’s Corporate and Community Education Division has started what it says is the first injection molding training program in South Carolina.

The college and injection manufacturer Engel plan to celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at 3 p.m. at the Tyger River campus in Duncan.

“This is an exciting launch for the college and for manufacturing companies in the Upstate that are in desperate need of trained and qualified employees to manage injection molding production,” Rhonda Johns, dean of SCC’s Corporate and Community Education Division, said in a news release. “We have repeatedly heard from business leaders how difficult it is to find skilled new hires and train current employees in injection molding, so we have responded by creating this new program. Given that the closest injection molding program is in Tennessee, we are excited to offer this one-of-a-kind program and have the opportunity to work with manufacturers in South Carolina and neighboring states.”

Melissa Schmitt, director of manufacturing and industrial solutions for the college, said more than 26,000 South Carolinians are employed in plastics processing.

“This program is a great fit for our area because Upstate South Carolina is home to many injection molding manufacturers who make thermoplastic components for automobiles, consumer products, and a host of other items,” she said in the news release.

SCC’s first injection molding program runs evenings from Oct. 26-Dec. 9 and is a 40-hour introductory class designed for individuals entering the profession. Students will learn how to make actual parts using a 500-ton Engel injection molding machine, the release said. Students who complete the program will earn OSHA certification and continuing education credit units.

CCE’s future plans include offering intermediate and advanced classes in 2021 as well as customized courses for specific training and scheduling needs of individual companies, the release said.