A $750 million BMW expansion in Greer is expected to create more than 500 job openings for local automotive suppliers.

Spartanburg Community College (SCC) has been training Cherokee Technology Center high school students since January to become production operators for automotive suppliers.

A new series of classes for Upstate residents will begin in mid- October on the SCC central campus in Spartanburg. The college plans to offer the production operator training program on the Cherokee County branch campus within the next several months.

"Those completing the 12-week training program will be guaranteed an interview with a local employer," said Dr. Dave Just, vice president of corporate and community education for Spartanburg Community College.

BMW is involved in an expansion project to boost the production capacity of its Greer plant by 50,000 vehicles a year so it can produce 200,000 vehicles annually. The increased production capacity would prepare the Greer facility to produce the new BMW X3 model as well as the existing X5 and X6 sport activity vehicles.

"Our training classes are directly tied to the expansion of the BMW plant. Between March through August of next year, local companies that serve as suppliers to the automotive industry will need to fill between 350 to 600 jobs," Just said. "Through a partnership with the Workforce Investment Board, SCC will provide the continuing education training for these positions that will train workers to serve as production operators at many of these companies."

The training focuses on workplace safety, quality practices and measurements, and manufacturing processes and production. Students completing the program will be certified production technicians by the national Manufacturing Skills Standards Council.

To enroll in the training program, individuals must have a high school diploma or GED high school credential, complete a Work Keys skill assessment test, and pass a drug screening test.

Students must attend one of several orientation sessions offered Saturday, Aug. 8, on the Spartanburg Community College central campus in Spartanburg.

Registration for the information sessions can be done by phone at (864) 562-4168; or online at www.onestopcareer.com.