Here’s the new computer lab at the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center located on Pennsylvania Avenue. (Submitted photo)
SALEM — In an effort to accommodate even more of Salem’s workforce, The Sustainable Opportunity Development Center has added a new computer lab that boasts 15 new laptops, with new computer-aided courses being scheduled.
Whether it’s connecting businesses to necessary resources, or training Salem’s workforce for certification, the SOD Center has been invaluable to Salem’s economic development, especially during the pandemic.
This influence can now reach even more with the brand new, state-of-the-art computer lab. Originally built into the expansion grant from earlier this year, the new computer lab was prompted by Salem employers’ needs for transportable technology.
“If a business has 10 employees to train on Office 365 by a certain deadline but only has two laptops, they can now schedule time with us here at the center. And those 10 employees can be certified at the same time, instead of possibly having to wait until the next quarter,” SOD Center Executive Director Julie Needs said.
This new lab saves existing businesses time, which, in turn, saves them money. However, in addition to the obvious savings, the new computer lab now enables the SOD Center to service almost every aspect of Salem’s workforce.
College can be intimidating on many levels, which could keep individuals from advancing their careers. This new computer lab addresses that concern by allowing SOD to reach those not reached before.
“Most of our training targeted the incumbent worker,” Needs said. “But with the new computer lab, we can now offer our many training services to both the unemployed and underemployed.”
Moreover, with this expansion, the SOD Center took a crucial step towards bridging the gap between the unemployed and the employed.
The SOD Training Center was established in 2018 as a training resource for area businesses. To learn more about the SOD Center’s training and classes, you can visit www.sodcenter.com or contact Training Coordinator, Eva Slagle at 330-337-7669. (Submitted material)
