For a lot of manufacturers, finding skilled employees is one of the biggest challenges these days, as the United States recovers from the recession of 2007-2009. William Hoffer, president of injection molder Hoffer Plastics Corp., recently got a chance to stress the importance of that issue when U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin visited the company's 365,000 square foot plant in South Elgin, Ill. The visit was part of a state-wide tour of businesses that are "doing well in the recession and hiring people." According to Hoffer, Durbin participated in a roundtable discussion with Hoffer executives and representatives from local business and educational organizations about the ACT WorkKeys assessment program, which administers a battery of tests that measures an individual's proficiency and suitability for various jobs. "This skilled workforce initiative is so important," Hoffer told Durbin. Last year Hoffer added 18 employees whose reading skills and qualifications were certified by the WorkKeys assessment process. That helped the company streamline the screening, interviewing and hiring processes. According to the company, Durbin agreed to work with WorkKeys representatives and facilitate contact with state officials for next steps. (Below is a photo of Bill Hoffer talking to Sen. Durbin in the molding plant, courtesy of Hoffer Plastics.)
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