This article is fourth in five-part In-Demand Jobs Week series sponsored by OhioMeansJobs.com. Each story will spotlight a different industry and feature people thriving in high-demand jobs in North Central Ohio.
Ryan Zellner creatively examines blueprints and begins to put pieces in place for the day ahead. His position as a fabricator at PR Machine Works, Inc. puts him at the center of innovative long-term projects.
His current project involves manufacturing a heat exchanger that will transfer heat to manure to make biofuel. On an average day Zellner clocks in at 6:50 a.m., types in a job number and continues making progress on the project.
Fabricators examine blueprints and determine the best process for completing a project. Welding is one component of that process.
Zellner completed the Welding Technology program at Madison Adult Career Center. The program empowers students to learn in an industry current lab facility and prepares them for the American Welding Society (AWS) certification. Students even complete several fabrication projects throughout the program to prepare them for various welding environments and processes.
“They (Madison Adult Career Center) helped me find my first job at AMG Industries in Mt. Vernon, and I got hired very quickly,” Zellner said. “They also helped me find my second job at PR Machine Works.”
Vice President of PR Machine Works Zoi Romanchuk works directly with Madison Adult Career Center and other programs to recruit students and advise on the curriculum for specific specialties. PR Machine Works hires for certain skills, and then offers mentoring and training specific to its processes.
“There are lots of very high paying jobs in our area,” Romanchuk said. “From general laborers to design engineers, every manufacturer has lots of job openings.”
The culture at PR Machine Works appeals to Zellner. “The people that I work with are very friendly,” he said. “There’s not a lot of pressure from my boss or my lead.”
Romanchuk said she, along with the leadership team, fosters this culture through an open door policy in which employees are encouraged to learn, grow and make suggestions for improvements.
Zellner recommends careers in welding to people of all ages, especially young people, because of the creative components.
“It’s almost like an art if you can get the hang of how a weld goes down and read a tape measure,” Zellner said. “It’s relatively easy to do.”
The hot and sometimes dirty elements of the job are challenging for some. Zellner combats these aspects by implementing small tricks like wearing a bandana, utilizing a ventable helmet and keeping his head out of smoke.
“Manufacturing has really changed,” Romanchuk said. “It’s clean and high-tech.”
Zellner utilizes his skills to repair cars and work on farm equipment. He even knows people who start their own welding businesses. His job helps him fund other hobbies like fitness shows and car restorations.
According to Indeed.com, metal fabricators make an average of $14.55 per hour in Ohio. PR Machine Works pays competitively and offers medical, dental and vision benefits as well as a 401K match. Employees can also receive discounts on needed uniform items like steel-toed boots.
“Welding will be my forever job, and it’s a great position to fund all aspects of life,” Zellner said.
Despite downward trends in past decades, new growth is occurring in the industry.
The latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report from AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology shows that U.S. manufacturing technology orders during January and February 2018 were 27 percent higher than in the same period during 2017.
Romanchuk predicts that with the continued changes in the industry, the need for skilled technicians will grow.
“There are good careers in manufacturing technology, and there are plenty of positions,” Romanchuk said.
PR Machine Works currently has a need for 10 machinists and will hire for fabricators and programmers throughout the year as well.
Romanchuk encourages community members to contact the PR Machine Works at 419-529-5748 and schedule a tour to learn more.
