DeWys Manufacturing President Jon DeWys says that after a poor job fair turnout in October that resulted in only one new hire, the company had to rethink how it was going to find the skilled advanced manufacturing workers it needs to keep up with demand.
DeWys says the precision sheet metal fabrication company, located in Marne, has experienced 35 percent growth in the past 18 months and is adding 25,000 square feet to its 65,000-square-foot facility, but cannot find enough workers with the skills to handle advanced processes in machining, welding, painting and fabrication.
"We have openings right now in just about every facet of the company, including sales," says Workforce Development Manager Laura Elsner. "We have some new machines coming in and the potential for another 10 to 15 positions this year."
So after attracting only 17 people to the job fair, company leaders decided to launch DeWys University and train people to give them the skills the company needs. The university has three welders in its first six-week course and plans to launch programs for the paint line and press brakes in upcoming weeks.
DeWys Manufacturing employs some 125 people and has sales in the $20 million range, says Jon DeWys. "We're a regional company, not just a West Michigan company, and have clients throughout the Great Lakes region. We struggle to find the people out there, and we need them now. They'll get paid for training here at their hourly wage."
DeWys says the company also works with Kenowa Hills and Coopersville High Schools to attract workers who may not be college bound but want to learn a skilled trade.
The new building addition will be completed in April and will include a 1,000-square-foot training room.
Source: Jon DeWys and Laura Elsner, DeWys Manufacturing
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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