DELPHOS — For Vanamatic Human Resource Manager Scott Wiltsie, 1,338 job openings isn’t so much a sign of economic growth as a sign of missed opportunity. Unlike many government officials who explain away the reason behind the number of openings as a sort of “skills gap,” Wiltsie sees many companies unwilling to evolve with the expectations of the new economy.
Those on both sides of the aisle agree most well-paying jobs need some sort of education or training. But unlike the majority of its peers in manufacturing, Vanamatic has recognized that if they don’t train their own employees, no one will — at least not in the way they want them.
“You aren’t going to find a plug-and-play person. You’re going to have to train,” Wiltsie said.
Vanamatic’s training process can take up to a year, but by the time it’s done, Vanamatic has created employees that are invested in the company’s success.
In fact, Wiltsie said he would rather have Vanamatic train someone whose personality fits its company culture than take on someone who may require less training and doesn’t fit.
That mindset has changed how the entirety of the company operates. Instead of top-down management, Vanamatic prefers to give its employees the tools they need to make sure the entire organization succeeds. Every day, employees have access to sales numbers, to a flexible schedule and to increased training, and they are empowered to succeed on their own merit, Wiltsie said. Company structure and culture doesn’t limit employee responsibility, but it relies on each employee to consider the bigger picture when making decisions affecting the company.
At the end of each month, if Vanamatic hits its production goals, employees get a bonus.
“What we care about is the end result,” Wiltsie said.
Relying on educational services to deliver good employees is the wrong way of thinking, Wiltsie said. Places like Apollo Career Center and the University of Northwestern Ohio provide a good baseline knowledge of math, but they don’t bring them to the level they need to be to deliver the best product. Vanamatic doesn’t expect them to be.
“Vocational schools are never going to keep up with business,” Wiltsie said. “The funding isn’t there and they’re too slow to react.”
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