Newly restructured OTC Center for Workforce Development hires two executives

Changes are happening at the Center for Workforce Development at Ozarks Technical Community College, starting with a restructuring to include many of the programs previously offered through the Community Enrichment Center. In addition, the center has hired two new business managers, Jim Abramovitz and Sterling Huff.

The reorganized Center for Workforce Development (CWD) will now have an expanded focus on professional development certifications, including a variety of health care industry certifications. The center will continue to provide the customized training, computer workshops, and health care programs it has offered since its inception, and will continue to operate OTC’s over-the-road truck driving program, the Transport Training Institute, as well as select community enrichment programs.

“As the Center for Workforce Development has grown, a fine-tuning has become necessary,” explained Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College. “In the CWD and the Community Enrichment Center, we had two units with some overlap in purpose. By joining these two forces, we create a stronger organization.”

Along with the restructuring of its operations, the Center for Workforce Development has brought in two new faces, Jim Abramovitz and Sterling Huff. Both will serve the center as Business Managers, focusing on the center’s Corporate College programs, Professional Certifications division, Computer Training Institute, and Community Enrichment opportunities.

Abramovitz is the former executive vice president of the U.S. division of SICPA Securink Corporation, an international security company based in Lausanne, Switzerland. He has also worked as vice president of business development and as national account manager for two other security technology companies, and as an independent brand security consultant.

Huff served most recently as the president and chief executive officer of Metropolitan National Bank, overseeing 12 branches and 160 employees. He has also held positions including senior vice president, chief executive officer, and vice president at several other area banking institutions.

“These two executives will be excellent additions to the Center for Workforce Development team, particularly as the center grows and adds to its available training opportunities,” said Cliff Davis, vice chancellor for Advancement | Student Affairs | Workforce Development. “I look forward to working with them as we work to better focus our workforce development resources on what the community really needs.”

About the Center for Workforce Development

Staffed by experienced trainers and consultants, the Center for Workforce Development offers customized training designed to develop businesses and enhance the local workforce. The training options available through the center include a variety of professional certifications, health care career training, computer workshops, and community enrichment courses. In addition, the center operates the Transport Training Institute and is an authorized OSHA Training Institute provider. For more information on these and other opportunities available through the Center for Workforce Development, visit www.otc.edu/workforce.