Panola College and Portacool, LLC have teamed up to offer current Portacool
employees the opportunity to improve their skills thanks to a Skills
Development Fund grant. The $72,670 state grant is funded by the Texas
Workforce Commission, and will allow workers to increase their skill level
and an opportunity to further their career. The Skills Development Fund is
the primary job-training program used by the Texas Workforce Commission to
provide local and customized training for Texas businesses.
“Success, we believe, is achieved through collaboration among businesses,
the public community, technical colleges, the Workforce Development Boards
and economic development partners,” said Diane Mosley, Texas Workforce
Commission Project Development Specialist in Austin.
During the 12-month period of the grant, Panola College will provide
customized training to Portacool employees. In addition to paying for
instruction, the grant covers the cost of new equipment needed to
successfully complete the training.
According to Whitney McBee, Director of Workforce & Continuing Education,
this is not the first time Panola College and Portacool have teamed up for
the betterment of the workforce. The College is excited to partner with the
Center, Texas-based Portacool again at the Shelby Regional Training Center
(SRTC).
“Panola College faculty and visiting contract instructors will train the
Portacool employees in a variety of subjects, including leadership, office
skills, and customer service, as well as hydraulic and forklift
operations,” McBee said. “We have even contracted with a professional for a
two-day session on plastics and molding equipment.”
The courses Panola College will provide includes basic electrical and
commercial wiring and programmable logic control. The grant provides funds
for the purchase of a new electrical systems training unit. Upon completion
of the grant with Portacool, this training unit will remain with Panola
College at the SRTC to be used for credit courses and training for other
area employers.
The Portacool Human Resources Department said employees will be allowed to
attend training during their regular working hours and the training they
receive will be specific to their jobs and customized to fit the needs of
Portacool’s growth and expansion plans.
It has been more than 25 years since Portacool was founded in East Texas.
The company’s growth has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“In 1990, we started with one product and two entrepreneurs in Center,”
said Ben Wulf, CEO of Portacool, LLC. “We have grown into an international
company with a full line of portable evaporative coolers used everywhere
from Texas Stadium to the Sheik’s Mosque in Abu Dhabi. We’ve kept our
headquarters and manufacturing plant in Center because we appreciate the
workforce, the culture and overall pride of our East Texas roots.”
Portacool evaporative coolers are distributed nationally and in 56
countries. The skills development grant funds will assist in training
employees to compete in the international market.
“Through the training attained in this Skills Development project, all
Portacool tradesmen and supervisors will be cross-trained in multiple skill
sets with outcomes customized to address individual skill deficiencies,”
said Rob Kennedy, Portacool Chief Financial Officer. “As part of our
strategic vision, Portacool will be able to expand by consolidating
operations and utilizing our own dedicated multi-skilled employees to
support manufacturing and distribution of current and future volumes.”
Panola College leadership looks forward to the opportunity to implement
this program as a stepping-stone to elevating the status of East Texas to
entice corporate and industrial development.
“We believe this Skills Development Grant is a win-win for Panola College
and Portacool,” said Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President. “We are
proud of the partnership that we have with Shelby County, and the work we
are doing through the SRTC and the Shelby College Center.”
*About Portacool*
Portacool, LLC is the worldwide manufacturing leader in the portable
evaporative cooling industry providing cooling solutions that protect
against heat stress and discomfort in hard-to-cool spaces. The company is
dedicated to worksite safety, productivity, sustainability and social
responsibility by providing a variety of cooling products “*When Comfort
Counts™*”. Headquartered in Center, Texas for more than 25 years, Portacool
products are made in the USA with domestic and global parts. To learn more
or find a retailer, nationally or internationally, go to www.portacool.com
or reach live support at 888-695-2942.
Pictured Left to Right: Greg Powell, Whitney McBee, Rob Kennedy, Laurie
King, and Natalie Oswalt
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