Perdue Farms has awarded a $15,000 grant from the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to Delaware Technical Community College’s workforce development program. The money will used to buy a forklift for students interested in earning a forklift/operations/safety certification, including those in the high school manufacturing program.
“Thanks to the Perdue Foundation, we can address unmet needs of our manufacturing program to better equip the workforce of tomorrow. We can also fill a workforce need with people who are certified to operate forklifts,” said Mark Brainard, president of Delaware Tech.
The manufacturing careers program provides juniors and seniors with skills and certification to begin a career right after graduation in manufacturing quality, logistics, material handling, safety, machinery and equipment.
“We know first-hand at Perdue Farms about the shortage of skilled employees in manufacturing,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation. “We’re proud to support schools like Delaware Tech that provide young people training and education that helps them take advantage of job opportunities.”