Under a new program by manufacturers in Knox County and the Knox County Workforce Development Alliance, students who complete six classes in a pilot certification program will be guaranteed a job interview with a local company.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturers have faced an “unprecedented” shortage of workers, according to a press release.
“The past 18 months have been exceptionally challenging,” said Stephanie Burson, Strategic Initiatives manager for Ver-Mac Industries. “The local manufacturing workforce shortage is something that Ver-Mac has struggled with for years. We are excited to participate in a program that will have a part in trying to solve a growing issue in our community.”
The new program is called Knox ASPECT and is designed to teach students the skills they will need for careers in manufacturing.
The classes will be held at Knox County Ohio Means Jobs Center on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in October and taught by industry experts, the news release said. Instruction topics include technical skills, safety and financial literacy.
Those interested in applying should go to the Ohio Means Jobs Knox County website and click on the application link on the front page.
“Manufacturing is Knox County’s largest sector and provides the fuel for our local economy," said Jeff Gottke, president of the Knox County Area Development Foundation. “Knox County is lucky to have forward-looking local businesses and groups like WorkDev, who are looking to find creative solutions to solve modern problems that will maintain our high standard of living.”
Manufacturing jobs account for 22% of Knox County's economy, the news release said.
“In Knox County, manufacturing jobs are being created faster than they can be filled and it has not been more apparent than in the past 18 months.” said Valarie Price, business director for Coyne Graphic Finishing. “Knox County has a competitive labor market, and we are all fishing from the same pool for employees. We don’t have the luxury of pulling from a metropolitan workforce, and it would be best to have residents from our community finding jobs in the manufacturing industry. Knox ASPECT will allow manufacturers to be involved in the development of future talent within Knox County, instilling soft skills that are so valuable to any manufacturing business.”
