Manufacturers in Dodge County, Wis., form alliance to address skills gap

Manufacturers in and around Dodge County, Wis., are taking action to promote the availability of family-supporting jobs in the manufacturing trades. The recently formed Manufacturing Business Alliance of greater Dodge County is gaining momentum with aggressive activities to address the skills gap.

Pam Korth, manager of human resources at Apache Stainless Equipment Corp., Beaver Dam, Wis., and current chairperson of the Manufacturing Alliance, commented, “This alliance was created out of need. The labor pool for skilled trades is too small in the area, which is saturated with manufacturers. We can’t grow our companies by hiring away labor from each other. We needed to increase the pool."

In addition to networking and sharing ideas, the alliance has been working on a communications campaign targeted to middle school and high school students and their parents about the benefits of manufacturing jobs. The campaign is using video and radio promotions and colorful posters in high schools. In partnership with local high schools, the alliance also is revitalizing a youth apprenticeship program.