In a few months, the massive EFACEC plant across Highway 21 from the Savannah Technical College-Effingham campus will spring to life. Wednesday evening, hundreds piled into STC’s Effingham facility to hear more about the Portuguese manufacturer.

Approximately 450 people turned out to hear what the company expects from its workforce and how they can ultimately work for the conglomerate.

The Rincon plant will be three times larger than the Porto facility and EFACEC plans to have more than 670 employees by 2017.

“We are ambitious at this facility,” Manuel Silvestre, EFACEC administrator/director, said. “We have a lot of ideas for this facility in the future.”

Silvestre pointed out that EFACEC makes transformers that are sent across the globe, and their transformers can be as big as 22 tons.

Currently, there are 53 people training at EFACEC’s headquarters in Porto, Portugal, and they will return in early fall to become the first workers at the plant in September. By next June, the company projects having 228 workers on site.

To find the workers needed to man the manufacturing process for the shell and core transformers, EFACEC is partnering with Savannah Technical College and the state’s QuickStart program. Savannah Tech’s Effingham campus has been given the go-ahead for a new certificate program for electrical/mechanical manufacturing technician.

QuickStart, also part of the Technical College System of Georgia, is putting together a training program for EFACEC’s workforce. Those who satisfactorily complete the certificate course at Savannah Tech and QuickStart’s 16-hour training program are guaranteed an interview with EFACEC.

“We have a lot of ground to cover, but it’s all about taking it one step at a time,” said Ron Russell, QuickStart training coordinator. “We know we’re going to have high-voltage performers for EFACEC. We know we have a good workforce in the area.”

Russell has been to Portugal to visit with the company as QuickStart is putting together the training manuals.

“There is not a place in the plant where an employee can work untrained,” he said. “It takes months to assemble one of these units. They do a wonderful job. That’s why they’re in the U.S.”

The Rincon plant is EFACEC’s first production facility in the U.S.

The certificate program also will be offered soon at STC’s Savannah campus and will be offered at the Effingham campus beginning next month.

“We are not alone in this process,” Silvestre said.

The company also is looking for potential workers with clean criminal records. EFACEC also will be using drug screening. The final selections for the workforce will be made through interviews with EFACEC staff.

And what they’re looking for out of the workers is the right attitude, Silvestre said.

“We need the efforts of everyone,” he said.

Silvestre also said the company needs workers who pay attention to detail.

“If you are willing to work and have a willingness to learn” EFACEC is interested, Silvestre said. “Anyone can learn who is dedicated and makes an effort.”

Officials told Silvestre the company will have no problem finding a good labor pool as it builds its workforce.

“I think you’re going to find the work ethic and dependability of the people here beyond your expectations,” state Sen. Jack Hill said.
“The key is people,” said state Rep. Jon Burns, “and you won’t find any better in the world.”

The line to get into Wednesday’s stretched past the end of the sidewalk in front of the Effingham campus. More than 100 people were in line before 5 p.m., which encouraged EFACEC to see the level of interest in the positions.

“We are very pleased about this opportunity,” Silvestre said. “We have made a good choice of this site by the people.”