Cleaver-Brooks partners with Victoria College to fill welding jobs
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Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer US
Zone : Skills and productivity
Published : 09 May 2007 18:32
GONZALEZ, Texas – Gonzales Manufacturing, owned by Cleaver-Brooks, has partnered with nearby Victoria College to create a training class for welders.
In only its second semester, this hands-on, accelerated evening course has been well received and already has a waiting list for next semester.
Industry knowledge and experience is becoming scarce as the boiler industry matures and the workforce reaches retirement age. Cleaver-Brooks' Gonzales facility also faces rural location, no training facilities and a product (duct work) that requires a workforce that is more than two-thirds welders. Add this all together and skilled labor becomes a major issue.
"We need a lot of welders," said Julio Tubola, Gonzales Manufacturing's plant manager. "But we have only a small number to draw from, so we're in an all- out effort to get people involved. Our commitment to the industry and to continuing education will present a great resource for welders in the region."
This new welding program is run by long-time Gonzales Manufacturing employee and Fitter/Welder Pete Riojas. Victoria College is also creating a satellite campus less than a mile away from Gonzales' facility to serve a variety of training needs.
"This is a win/win situation with a great company," said Craig Follins, vice president of the workforce and economic development program at Victoria College. "We didn't see other companies as committed and determined to make this work as Gonzales Manufacturing and Cleaver-Brooks."
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posted by Brook B on Fri 14 Sep 07 17:29
I can identify with the scenario of a rural location and a limited skilled labor pool. I am the HR manager for Dixie Iron Works, ltd in Alice, TX. We are a manufacturer of valves, fittings and pumps for the oilfield and natural gas industry. Our manufacturing processes requires cnc machining with both lathes and mills.
With in put from the Texas Work Source, and local business leaders the local community college, Coastal Bend College, is staring a machinist training program that will start up this fall.
For many years we have conducted our own training, and will continue to do so, but it will be an asset to have future applicants that have had some training before they walk through the door.