Closing the skills gap in Coshocton

When Kraft had challenges filling industrial maintenance jobs, the company started to train its current employees for the more technical work.

"We have found many who are eager to develop new skills to build on what they have learned as equipment operators," Kraft spokeswoman Joyce Hodel said.

Kraft isn't alone in its hunt for quality skilled workers, said Amy Stockdale, Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce.

"One of the calls I get the most here is finding qualified maintenance people. There's a large demand," Stockdale said.

On-the-job training has become a popular way to address the need for skilled workers. Local companies offer internships to attract talent to the area, Stockdale said.

Across Ohio, communities are working to connect employers with skilled employees by identifying where candidates' skills are lacking, building relationships between employers and schools, creating niche programs and inspiring children to look at local industries when selecting a career.

The Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation creates regular reports on in-demand jobs, provides career advice through one-stop centers in each county and creates incentives for businesses that work with educational institutions. Last year, six pilot programs received grants to place more than 75 percent of the 500 trainees into jobs by the end of the programs, which range from training health care workers in Appalachian Ohio to insurance workers in central Ohio.

In Ross County, an area business invested in the hospital's education of nurses to stem the demand for skilled health care workers in the area. In Marion County, laid-off workers were trained in welding while still receiving food assistance.

Some of the most important skills employers are looking for require no degree.

"Kraft is looking for people with quick hands and good attitudes to keep up with fast-paced production lines at our Coshocton facility. We also desire candidates who are skilled in teamwork and communication," Hodel said.

Stockdale hears complaints that employers have to hire 10 employees just to find four who will show up to work.

"There's a skills gap and also a gap in that integrity," Stockdale said.

Ohio Means Jobs Coshocton County works with job seekers on those soft skills, from customer service tips to resume writing and interview skills.

Central Ohio Technical College staff work with area businesses to determine which programs are offered, said Vicki Maple, director of the Workforce Innovation Development Center. By meeting with officials from McWane Ductile, Coshocton Hospital and AK Steel, Maple said she obtains a better understanding of what local employers want.

COTC also is exploring a restaurant, hotel and tourism program, given the importance of those industries to Coshocton County, Maple said.

Mid-East Career and Technical Centers staff in Muskingum County also uses relationships with employers on their advisory committees to gain insight into what local businesses are looking for in their graduates, superintendent Tom Perkins said.

As the demand for qualified machinists grew, Mid-East Career and Technical Centers restarted its welding, machining and manufacturing program, investing about $300,000 into equipment for the class.

"The timing couldn't be any better," machine tooling instructor Gary Abel said. "There just aren't enough qualified machinists out there."

The program, which had laid dormant for several years, restarted this school year with 11 students. They are instructed in safe, efficient operation of machine tools, use of measuring tools, blueprint reading and shop math that is necessary for the trade, Abel said. They start on manual machines before moving to computer-controlled ones.

In addition to training, community leaders are looking for innovative ways to get students excited about manufacturing.

Students from two Licking County high schools toured three manufacturers. Three-fourths of the students left with a more favorable impression of manufacturing. A third wanted more information about careers in skilled trades.

"These jobs are not what people originally thought they were. Manufacturing is important, interesting and has nice pay," said Cheri Hottinger, president and CEO of the Licking County Chamber of Commerce.

The program was born out of concern about the projected skills gap in manufacturing and skilled trades, two key parts of the Licking County economy. But rather than just talk about the problem, local leaders started to tackle it.

"We are trying to target them a little bit. Military recruits high school students, colleges recruit high school students, but we don't have local businesses recruiting students," Hottinger said. "We have kids who are falling through the cracks and don't know the opportunities that are out there."

jbalmert@gannett.com

740-328-8548

Twitter: @jbalmert

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