Miller is ISO/Training Coordinator for Viracon, a glass manufacturer that recently opened a new plant in Statesboro in eastern Georgia.

The 330,000 square foot facility opened in July, and employs almost 300 people. Just under 250 of those workers were trained through Georgia’s Quick Start program.

“It’s been a fantastic program,” said Miller. “It hasn’t cost us a thing and we’ve had very good results.”

When Viracon announced it would build the facility in Statesboro,  consultants from Quick Start went to Viracon’s headquarters in Owatonna, Minn. The consultants spent two weeks learning every part of Viracon’s manufacturing process.

“They filmed several of our production lines, and put together all of the training manuals that we use,” said Miller.

Potential employees go through pre-employment training sessions, where they are introduced to Viracon and available jobs. By the time new employees are hired by Viracon, they have two weeks of training and are ready to work immediately.

The Quick Start program also appealed to a Korean manufacturer of polyester. SKC Inc. constructed a $1.5 billion polyester film plant in Covington, in north-central Georgia.  The facility is SKC’s U.S. headquarters, and will employ 1,000 people.

“The people from Quick Start listened to our needs and developed a program especially for our company,” said Hank Arvanites, chief operating officer for SKC. “It is making a significant difference in the productivity of our plant.”

In Augusta, a large telephone service company is opening a call center. SITEL Corp., headquartered in Baltimore, is converting a former Wal-Mart into a 500 person call center. 

In Hinesville, in southeast Georgia, West Teleservices opened a call center in February. 

West occupies a 10,000 square foot building and employs 250 people. West, based in Omaha, Neb., provides direct marketing services to Fortune 500 companies.

“The pro-business mindset and excellent pool of prospective employees made Hinesville a great choice for expansion,” said John W. Erwin, president of West’s direct teleservices division.