By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com

The Crawford County Business and Education Advisory Council met Thursday and definitely saved the best for last. Host for the meeting, Don Covert of Covert Manufacturing, and Covert’s Human Resources Director Chanel Hipp discussed the company’s new training center on South Street in Galion.

“I’m excited to be part of it,” said Hipp, a third generation member of the family to take part in the company. “Retention is all of our companies’ number one focus and attracting new employees.”

Covert said providing employee training is nothing new for his company and it started by training CNC machinists.

“For us, this was really a great opportunity,” Covert said. “We felt we needed this. It makes it easier for our employees.”

Classroom space in the newly remodeled building and a strong working relationship with North Central State College allows Covert Manufacturing to offer interested employees the opportunity to take classes regardless of what shift they might work.

But beyond convenience of time and access, the training program comes at no financial costs to Covert employees.

“All the students are going to school for free,” Hipp said. “We pay for books, everything.”

All the company requires in return is a five-year employment commitment.

“We like the people who work for us to be valuable,” Covert said. “If they are more valuable to themselves, they are more valuable to us.”

NC State President Dr. Dorey Diab was present and said, “It’s about partnership and coming together.”

Hipp said the investment extended beyond the company and its employees.

“We want to make Crawford County an appealing place to live.”

Prior to the Covert presentation, the Advisory Council heard updates form area school districts. All spoke about completing senior projects. Bucyrus Superintendent Kevin Kimmel also spoke about a planned in-service for that district’s staff next fall that would involve teachers going to local businesses to learn and see firsthand about available jobs and the required skills.

“Too many times teachers are telling kids there are no jobs in Crawford County,” Kimmel said. “We need to correct that.”

Vickie Hunt of Pioneer gave updates regarding the upcoming BEST Awards and the KAPOW program for elementary students.

The Advisory Council has tentatively set meeting dates in both August and November.