Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/216789
Unemployment Rate (%) Q3 2013 8% 7.3% 7% 6.2% 6% 5.9% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0 1 New North 2 3 Wisconsin United States As of the close of September 2013, the New North region has estimated 649,484 employed individuals, an increase of over 62,000 hired employees in the region from January to September 2013. Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics "The companies who are growing and succeeding have plans in place to find the workers they need," Golembeski says. "They know they can't wait for them to just show up on their doorstep." Several large employers from manufacturing giant Marinette Marine to Sheboygan's Acuity insurance company are laying the plans now Acuity: Success 'you can count on' While many businesses stagnated or contracted during the economic slowdown, Acuity of Sheboygan saw an explosion of growth. Ben Salzmann, Acuity's CEO and president, explains how that happened in one word: Consistency. "Consistency is key to success in insurance or any industry," he says. "Some competitors tried some different things as the economy got into trouble, but we were predictable and sent the message to our customers that you can count on us." Just this year, Acuity's growth has been phenomenal: reaching $3 billion in assets and announcing the construction of a $130 million addition to its headquarters, including a 2,000-seat theater in the round and a 65-foot-tall Ferris wheel. In addition, the insurer, which only works with independent agents, added 200 employees in the past two years and continues to be listed among the best places to work in the nation. "We have the best employees who have the best work ethic. That's something you see throughout for continued future success through partnerships to train their future workforce to help keep the skills gap at bay. Going all out Since winning the multi-billion-dollar Navy contract to build 10 littoral combat ships (LCS), Marinette Marine has partnered with multiple sources to make sure it has the workers it needs. Since the contract was awarded a few years ago, Marinette Marine has amped up its workforce, adding more than 400 new "There's a reason they want to hire our grads – we are helping them reduce their training time." Dave Krause, director of development and alumni relations for UW-Oshkosh's College of Business the New North and throughout Wisconsin," Salzmann says. "Thanks to our employees and investments in technology, we Ben Salzmann are almost twice as efficient as our competitors." To ensure it has the employees it needs to see continued success, Acuity invests in the next generation of workers, whether it's making the lead gift for a new technology center at the University of WisconsinSheboygan County or hosting high school students from around the state at its headquarters for the statewide Business Bowl. Acuity has also been a partner in helping launch a new insurance major at UW-Oshkosh (page 24). "We are firm believers in giving back and helping our community since they have done so much for us," Salzmann says. "We want to help continue making this a great place to live since that helps us attract and retain the best workers." – MaryBeth Matzek employees, bringing the total workforce to about 1,400. But not just anyone can build a ship. The company not only partnered with Golembeski's organization, it also reached out to Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to open a center in Marinette focused on marine specific education programs. The $3 million North Coast Marine Manufacturing Training Center is on pace to train more than 1,000 employees as they learn customized skills in electrical work, welding and pipe fitting. The instructors designed the center's work space after spending time at Marinette Marine to make sure the conditions are as close as possible to what it would be like on a real ship, says center coordinator Brian Lancour. "We work hand-in-hand every day with Marinette Marine on providing the necessary training," he says. "We worked 2 013 r e p o r t to t h e c o m m u n i t y 23