Turnstyle Enterprises, KRA business-customer and partner in the Waccamaw Region of South Carolina, is the sole manufacturer of the first and only completely armless gate-opening system, which is eco-friendly with solar-power compatibilities. The Turnstyle Gate Opening System is described by professionals in the industry as the “cleanest” system on the market. Knowlton R. Atterbeary, KRA President & CEO, reported, “KRA truly appreciates Turnstyle as a valuable partner in working with our Adult and OSY [Out-of-School Youth] Program participants who face serious barriers to employment. Our collaborative effort is far-reaching; it helps participants remain enrolled in the GED Program, obtain technical and other work-place skills, and maintain a positive attitude…all of which increases their potential for employment, which in turn contributes to the Region’s economic development and growth.” Since January 2011, KRA has placed 14 KRA customers with Turnstyle, through On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Work Experience Contracts, all of which transitioned into permanent positions after training. All 14 workers are still on the job.
Currently, Turnstyle is accepting employment applications at the KRA SCWORKS Office in Georgetown, with the assistance of Jeff Ward, KRA Business Service Representative. He commented, “Turnstyle’s success over the years in building, operating, and executing quality products, and in providing customer-friendly, after-sale service has led to a recent need for more workers. KRA is participating collaboratively in the recruitment and screening processes.” Turnstyle reports that the company has received orders from the country’s two largest home-improvement companies, and that their armless gate-opening systems will soon be sold in stores all across the United States. Over the next 3 months, Turnstyle intends to assemble and ship 50 to 100 gates a day until both orders are complete.
On February 22, 2012, Turnstyle began filling new positions through OJT contracts with KRA. Alisha Williams, KRA Program Manager, reported, “So far, we have two Adult and two OSY customers working on OJTs at Turnstyle. One Mechanical Engineer and three Assemblers will have the opportunity to become fulltime employees after they complete their training. Also, Turnstyle hired one of our OSYs without a High School Diploma. Bill Duncan, Turnstyle Vice President, waived the requirement, providing the customer obtains a GED by the end of his OJT. Incredibly, Mr. Duncan volunteered to stay after work and tutor him in Math to help him pass his GED test in April. That is so generous of him, and demonstrates the depth of the commitment that he and Turnstyle have to KRA, its programs, and its customers.”
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
