Nifco, Georgia, NGTC Sign QuickStart Agreement

State officials are putting a plan in place to train people for work at the new Nifco KTW plant in Stephens County.

On Wednesday, state and local officials joined company representatives to officially sign a QuickStart training agreement for the plant in the Hayestone-Brady Business Park along Highway 17.

QuickStart is a Georgia economic development program that provides customized workforce development training at no cost to qualified, new, expanding, and existing businesses in Georgia.

At Nifco KTW, QuickStart training will include job-specific training in injection molding, assembly, and paint operations, along with soft skills training in areas including leadership and productivity enhancement.

Nifco KTW Toccoa Operations Manager Claus Haban said having the state help with training new employees will assist the plant in getting started quicker.

“We plan to start up in 2017 with 200 employees and we will expand in 2018 to more than 400 employees,” said Haban. “I am sure with your help, we will reach our goal quickly.”

Along with the state, North Georgia Technical College will partner in the training agreement and provide ongoing workforce support and services to the company.

North Georgia Tech President Dr. Mark Ivester said the plant’s arrival and start-up is great news.

“We are excited,” said Ivester. “I am excited for our students. We have graduates every year. Our graduate count is increasing, but to be able to bring in quality jobs for those students is important.”

Meanwhile, QuickStart Head Jackie Rohosky said that the program is not just about getting a company started, but helping that company over the long term.

“We will be as long as you hire people,” said Rohosky. “We will not leave you. We stay with our companies and see them through. We are pleased to be part of your team and we want to be part of your success too.”

City and county leaders also applauded the training agreement.

Nifco KTW’s Toccoa plant makes injection-molding parts for BMW and Mercedes-Benz plants in South Carolina and Alabama respectively.

Anyone interested in applying for a position at Nifco KTW should inquire at the Georgia Department of Labor offices on Foreacre Street in Toccoa.