Human Resource Director Shares How He Finds Qualified Welders to Meet Production Demands
At a time when many businesses across the nation are strained by a shortage of skilled welders, Kubota Manufacturing of America is thriving.
“We have found a recipe for success that can’t be beat,” explains Director of Human Resources Phil Sutton. “At Kubota we take quality very seriously. With production demands increasing and qualified welders scarce, we were desperate to find pre-trained, qualified welders to show up to work every day.”
He says Kubota’s success in attracting and retaining quality welders results from Global Employment Solutions’ new Training Center and their commitment to placing reliable candidates.
Sutton works with the Training Center to develop his own unique testing standards. These standards then become the criteria for which the welders are trained and evaluated. Instruction includes knowledge of welding terminology, basic math, tape (measuring), etc. as well as hands-on safety and welding instruction (to include steel and gas metal welding, as well as brazing).
“In March 2006, we were operating at half our capacity. By April 2007, Kubota hired nearly 70 pre-trained, qualified welders,” boasted Sutton. “We hired at least 20 at Kubota Manufacturing of America, 30 at Kubota Industrial Equipment and 17 at Shintone. We’re now operating at full capacity thanks to Global Employment Solutions and its new Training Center.”
“Our customers were having difficulty finding high quality welders, assemblers, and forklift operators,” said President of Staffing Services Steve Pennington, “so we custom-designed a Training Center to meet their needs.”
Global Employment Solutions made the decision back in November 2005 to invest in a solution to combat the growing labor shortage in Southern Georgia. It’s since paid off exponentially.
“Assisting Kubota in this capacity is an exhilarating experience,” explains Area Vice President of Sales April Loudermilk. “Having the creative license and ability to recognize a customer need and act on it is incredibly satisfying.”
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