A Speers business benefited from a special training program designed by the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc. RAS Industries in Speers will next be one of seven area businesses to participate in an even more extensive program designed to help small businesses to compete. Initially, Sean Sypolt, manager of PIC, met with Joe Kirk, executive director of the Mon Valley Progress Council, who gave him some referrals for companies in the Mid-Mon Valley that might be interested in extensive training. RAS Industries was identified as needing computer training for several members of its staff, Sypolt noted. A training program was created teaching various computer programs, including Microsoft Works, Excel, and Power Point. Internet skills for business bidding were also taught. For the 15-hour course, PIC moved one of its computer labs into RAS Industries. Those employees who completed the course were certified by the Education and Technology Institute, a subsidiary of PIC. Fifteen RAS employees completed the training. Each participating employee received training in the various computer programs during the 15-week period. Funding for the program was provided by Pennsylvania State WEDNET. That program makes money available to businesses for offering anything from basic skills to intensive training. The program PIC set up at RAS is just a part of a larger goal to provide the type of training that will help several area companies to better compete in the market. PIC is arranging a consortium-led Customized Job Training Program that will involve seven different companies. Locally, RAS Alstom in Speers and SAR Plastics in the MIDAA plant in Donora will participate. Customized Job Training Programs usually involve just one company, so this consortium would be unique. The seven companies would receive training for their employees under one umbrella known as the Southwestern Pennsylvania Manufacturing Consortium. All seven businesses in the consortium are manufacturing firms. This extensive training program will include safety training, welding and wood work, certified mechanic inspection, and maintenance department training. “We’re trying to make manufacturing companies as competitive as possible,” Sypolt said. “By updating their skills, we’re updating their competitiveness.” Afshan Khan, vice president of business development for RAS, praised the training effort. “We’re a small business in western Pennsylvania that was previously unaware of the opportunities the state provides for training,” said Khan. “This experience benefited us to help our staff both in this job and in their future. We’re excited to participate in the Customized Job Training Program. There should be more programs like this to help small businesses to compete against big businesses.” Kirk said he was pleased with the success of the program at RAS. “When others see the amount of effort and resources expedited then they may come on board,” Kirk said.

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