Conference: Sussex job-seekers lack skills
Three successful Sussex entrepreneurs said one of the major stumbling blocks they face on a daily basis is hiring qualified workers.
The trio took part in one of two panel discussions Oct. 26 during the 18th annual Sussex County Today & Tomorrow Conference at the Jack Owens Campus of Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown
A roomful of business people, legislators, chamber of commerce members and other professionals got an insight on how business is done in Sussex County during the annual event hosted by the college and sponsored by local businesses.
“It’s all about Sussex County,” said host Ileana Smith, vice president and campus director. “We are learning information in ways to connect to the betterment of the community. We want you to walk away from here and act on the information you gained today. We will show that everything is not made in China because it can be made in the USA, and better yet in Sussex County.”
Conference attendees listened to the Sussex entrepreneurs who own successful manufacturing companies that are thriving even in tough economic times.
Don Hollenbeck, president of Craig Technologies in Seaford, has added more than 60 jobs and expanded his businesses over the past 13 years since choosing to move the company to the Seaford Industrial Park. The company’s products – primarily plastic balls – can be found in every household worldwide, he said. One of the company’s newest innovations is the Frac Ball used in the oil industry.
Sher Valenzuela, who with her husband Eliseo owns First State Manufacturing in Milford, started the specialized upholstery business from scratch after landing one contract with Dover Air Force Base. The company continues to focus on government contracts, or what she called the biggest customer in the world.
Robert F. Rider Jr., president and CEO of O.A. Newton in Bridgeville, took over a business in 1996 that has been in his family since 1916. He said over the decades the company has had to change with the market, adapting its business plan numerous times. Today, O.A. Newton is a leader in the manufacturing and installation of equipment for weighing and conveying raw materials for customers throughout the world. In addition, the company sells and services farming irrigation equipment.
All three agreed one of the biggest challenges Sussex business owners face today is finding qualified employees.
“Most kids are totally unaware of job opportunities available to them. Manufacturing is a little known world,” Hollenbeck said. “We need to get back to basics. I can’t tell you how many can’t pass our basic sixth-grade math test.”
He said when he relocated, because the workforce was unprepared, he was forced to dummy-down his manufacturing operation. A corps of teachers had to brought in to teach workers remedial math and English skills. He has since instituted an internship program.
Rider said he has also had to educate employees in basic skills. Rider said as equipment becomes more sophisticated basic machine operators are having a difficult time keeping up.
“In basic assessments, we’ve had fabricators who could not read a tape measure,” Rider said.
Valenzuela said she also struggles to hire employees with strong basic skills. She is collaborating with Junior Achievement to help introduce the world of work to high school students.
Keynote speaker Shaun Tyndall, founder and president of web-design and development company Inclind Inc. in Georgetown, said he had 50 applications for an open web designer position, but none of the applications were from applicants in Sussex County.
Tyndall is a Sussex Central High School graduate who came home after college to open his business in his hometown.
In an effort to answer the call for more qualified employees, Delaware Tech has added eight associate degree programs and one certificate program of study aimed directly at connecting area residents with in-demand jobs. The programs, outlined by Orlando George, Delaware Tech president, include renewable energy – solar; information security; energy management; health information management; computing and information science; food safety; surgical technology; middle and secondary mathematics education; and direct support professional for those working with people with developmental disabilities.
Taking part in an expanding reach panel were Michael Buoni, former Cape Henlopen School District Teacher of the Year who now heads Delaware Tech’s Academic Challenge program; Jeff Fried, Beebe Medical Center president and CEO; Steven Rose, Nanticoke Health Services president and CEO; and Scott Thomas, Southern Delaware Tourism executive director.
