ABOVE: Vermilion Advantage CEO Mike Marron speaks with local industrial leaders in the Danville City Council Chambers following Friday morning’s presentation from the Danville High School Future Problem Solvers.
Friday morning’s presentation from the Danville High School Future Problem Solvers about their International Conference bound “Project Future Forward” effort was not just a chance for the team members to explain how they’re helping fellow students figure out their futures. It was also a chance for local industrial leaders, invited to the presentation by Vermilion Advantage CEO Mike Marron, to have some serious discussion about recruiting future employees.
The immediate goal right now may be trying to convince those who have lost jobs due to the Quaker Oats closing to consider being willing to try something new. But in judging by what the students said during a Q and A period, the long range goal needs to be letting Vermilion County youngsters know there are good jobs and careers available to them right in Danville.
Thyssenkrupp Dynamic Components CEO Gary Tucker said afterwards that yes, they had a recent open house for interested former Quaker Oats workers, and they will be present at the April 24th Career Expo at the David S. Palmer Arena.
AUDIO: There’s a lot of opportunity for those that have been displaced at Quaker. We have a booth set up at the job fair, so I hope people can come out and learn more about what we do in Danville.
(1st and 3rd Pictures) Danville High School Future Problem Solvers listen during Q and A session with local industrial leaders following Friday morning presentation in Danville City Council Chambers. (2nd Picture) Thyssenkrupp Dynamic Components CEO Gary Tucker (second from top) and Danville Metal Stamping Executive VP Gardner Peck (front) listen to students’ answers during Friday morning program.
Danville Metal Stamping Executive Vice-President Gardner Peck was also in attendance. His eyes are definitely on both those that need jobs now, and those who could be interested later.
AUDIO: We’re always looking for good employees, and people that are in the area or moving to the area. You can go on our website and see our job postings there. We are also interested in, and why we’re here today, is about the young students; and keeping them in our community, and hoping that they either come back or stay in the community. We have some great opportunities from all sorts of industries, and not just industrial.
Thyssenkrupp’s Gary Tucker says with the amount of workers getting older and retiring, you want access to the youngsters as soon as possible.
AUDIO: Somehow, we have to find a way to bridge that gap as leaders of the community, both teachers and industry leaders. We’re glad to participate in whatever program that the community is initiating to help build trades. We all have a gap in maintenance and skilled trades, so anything we can do as a local employer to participate in that, we’d be glad to do so.
And the next school year could be a big one for that. It looks like the DHS Future Problem solvers will be trying to expand their Career Readiness Lab even more. While this school year focused a lot on college preparation, next year could mean more time to focus on communicating with the local trades.
