ASHLAND — Every can of Barbasol and Pure Silk shaving cream sold in the United States was manufactured in Ashland, Barbasol general manager Brent Stine shared on Wednesday.
The company makes 55 million cans of shaving cream at its Ford Drive plant each year, and Barbasol just finished a 75,000 square-foot facility addition to add razors to its lineup of products.
What worries Stine is not the level of demand for his products or his ability to compete with other manufacturers. It’s the labor force.
“We do pay a good starting starting rate of pay. We do have a very good benefits package. But what concerns me is, for the future, who is going to come in and replace the skilled labor we have today?” Stine said. “I talk to everybody in industry, and they have the same issues.
“It’s hard to find skilled labor in maintenance areas, in engineering, welding and fabrication.”
That’s why Stine, along with several other area employers, is part of The North Central Workforce Alliance of Ohio. The group shares resources and ideas to solve common problems of attracting, training and retaining qualified employees.
NCWA held its annual summit Wednesday, inviting employers, educators and high school students to learn about opportunities in skilled trades and best practices for workforce development.
“It wasn’t long ago that we would have stood up here and said, ‘We need more jobs. We don’t have enough jobs, and people can’t find work.'” said Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, who also serves on the executive board of NWCA. “We’re not saying that anymore.”
Miller said employers are willing and eager to hire people in careers ranging from healthcare to manufacturing.
He highlighted several programs of NCWA, including a Women in Hardhats campaign to feature women working in jobs traditionally thought of as jobs for men. There is also a Girls With Goggles program to engage sixth grade girls in STEM activities. In addition, a Teacher Bootcamp allowed local teachers to tour manufacturing facilities and other area businesses.
Troy Snyder, CEO of Brethren Care Village, said his growing retirement community has 37 open positions for new employees and needs quality applicants.
“Times are changing,” Snyder said. “Things are changing here in Ashland, and we’ve got to keep up with those. I’m not sure exactly how we’re going to do it, but we’re open to fresh and new ideas.”
One of the latest ideas Brethren Care is trying is an initiative to “recruit from within,” he said. Existing employees who refer a friend to work at Brethren Care receive a $1,000 incentive, he said.
Participants in Wednesday’s summit rotated through breakout sessions to hear ideas about succession plans, retirement and replacement as well as about apprenticeships and drug-free workplace programs.
Attendees also heard from keynote speaker Montez King, executive director of The National Institute for Metalworking Skills.
A community service award was presented to Ashland County Community Foundation director Jim Cutright, along with the foundation’s founder, Lucille Ford.
