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MVMC needs more members to grow workforce development efforts
By Kalea Hall
WARREN
Latrobe Speciality Metals’ leaders deal with a variety of workforce issues, just like many other manufacturers in the area.
First, the pool of those interested in manufacturing is small.
Second, those interested may not have the skills needed for the job.
And third, those interested may not fit the industry.
“We have come to the realization how we have operated in the past is maybe needed to change,” said Joe Wakeling, vice president of operations for Latrobe Speciality Metals in Vienna Township.
Latrobe was one of the companies represented at Thursday’s Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition and OH-Penn Manufacturing Collaborative roundtable discussion on the issues manufacturers face and solutions to the issues. The meeting, at the Avalon Resort in Warren, was geared toward recruiting more manufacturers to the MVMC to help with the solutions.
“Fortunately in this region, we are seeing a lot of growth,” said Jessica Borza, executive director of the MVMC. “ And growth means you need more workers.”
But perceptions of the manufacturing jobs have made it difficult to grow. That’s why the MVMC works with local educational institutions to get more skilled workers into the pipeline, Borza explained.
“We have done a lot of work with the schools to help them adapt to what manufacturers need,” Borza said.
The solution to the issues manufacturers face is to bring together more companies with common needs. The MVMC has about 50 manufacturers as part of its membership that work together to promote the development of a skilled workforce.
With the interest taken by the MVMC, the federal investment in manufacturing here went from 3.5 percent to about 35 percent in just a few years.
Manufacturers “really haven’t had a voice,” said Brian Benyo, MVMC president and Brilex Industries Inc. president. “MVMC’s creation was all around about giving us that voice. We can communicate and change the perception of manufacturing.”
By April 30, the MVMC, the Oh-Penn Manufacturing Collaborative and other collaborators will apply for a nearly $3 million U.S. Department of Labor grant for apprenticeship programs. The coalition is in search of manufacturers interested in providing apprenticeships. For more information, email Sue Watson at swatson@tpma-inc.com.