Andringa Speaks On Skilled Worker Shortage

Some of Iowa’s executives recently met to talk about skilled-labor needs, incentives that create jobs and attract capital investment, and opportunities in foreign markets at the first meeting of the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress, the Des Moines Register reports.

Among them was member Mary Andringa, chief executive of Vermeer Manufacturing, who outlined the need for more skilled workers. Andringa said Vermeer has 100 jobs it’s struggling to fill and that the company has looked to veterans and distressed areas outside Iowa to help find the skilled workers it needs.

“Nationally, 5 percent of the manufacturing jobs posted are not getting filled,” said Andringa, also president of the National Association of Manufacturers. “That’s millions of jobs” going unfilled across the country. Maybe we can work together more collaboratively with community colleges and workforce development to tap into that pool of workers who don’t have jobs, to get them trained. Advanced manufacturing companies like Vermeer needs welders, machinists and engineers, among other workers.”

Vermeer Corporation has been a member of this Association since 1998. For more information go to vermeer.com.