The Sumter Office of Economic Development and Central Carolina Technical College (South Carolina) formed a partnership to help increase the technical skills of the local work force. Industry surveys, questionnaires, and on-site visits revealed that employers were discouraged with the inadequate work force pool, and that those coming from secondary schools were not meeting employer needs. Through a collaborative process, the college was determined to be the most appropriate provider of technical training, and a curriculum was developed. Competencies also were established for general mechanical knowledge, fundamental mechanical functions, hydraulics/pneumatics, electrical, programmable logic controllers, and welding, with pre- and post assessment. With strong support from the business community and high participation rates, the college is improving both the local economy and the individual employment value of its workers. (YKH)