Contact: Jennifer Dills
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Carolina Endorses Plastics Learning Network

Washington (June 27, 2000) —The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) announced today that the state of South Carolina has pledged its support for the Plastics Learning Network (PLN), an innovative distance learning initiative that provides training to plastics industry employees, by appropriating funding for the project in the state's fiscal year 2000-01 budget.

"This is an important endorsement of the Plastics Learning Network from the state where the program was founded," said SPI President Donald K. Duncan. "The state's action illustrates the power of partnerships between government and industry to meet a very pressing need for worker training and development in the plastics industry."

The PLN provides interactive training in plastics operations that can be delivered via satellite to a local community college, training facility or company plant site. It is designed to meet the training needs of plastics industry employees in areas where other forms of training are not readily available. Over the last year, over 250 individuals in 12 states have taken part in PLN training, and many other companies including original equipment manufacturers have expressed interest in the training.

The state's appropriation of $37,500, in addition to matching contributions from South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV), provides funding for television production and development costs associated with the PLN. The new funds will help expand the training available under the program. PLN has received additional funding from SPI's Machinery and Moldmakers Divisions. Basic operating costs are covered by tuition paid by plastics employers for the training of their employees.

"The state's funding of the PLN is the culmination of the efforts of many individuals, including several active SPI members in the state of South Carolina," Duncan noted. SPI worked in a coalition with SCETV and the Polymers Center of Excellence in Charlotte, N.C. to develop the PLN. SPI members were instrumental in educating state officials about the program and its potential benefits to the plastics industry, which provides 26,500 jobs and $5 billion in annual shipments in the state.

"We appreciate the efforts of those lawmakers and industry members who understood the value of this project and worked with us to secure its support," Duncan said.

SPI plans to work with other states where there is a need for distance learning initiatives to support training for plastics industry employees and potential employees in their states. In addition to PLN, SPI works with various partners to provide a variety of other workforce development services for the plastics industry including employee recruitment, selection, orientation, training and certification.

Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's 1,700 members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw material suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.5 million workers and provides $304 billion in annual shipments.

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