Fast Forward Grant from DWD helps Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry hire and train more workers

The Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry (WAF) in Manitowoc was praised by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) for its accomplishments with the Fast Forward Grant. Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry's worker recruiting and retention programme, supported by a Wisconsin Fast Forward grant from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), helped the business significantly lower turnover and raise its on-time delivery rate.

“With the support of the Fast Forward grant, we have meaningfully improved our employee onboarding experience. In our new training center, employees learn the skills they need in a welcoming and safe environment. Improved employee retention has had a direct impact on the success of our business and our customers,” stated WAF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sachin Shivaram.

DWD Secretary-designate Amy Pechacek visited the facility and a new training centre made possible by a Wisconsin Fast Forward grant of roughly $194,000 with WAF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sachin Shivaram. Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry experienced difficulties with employee retention and recruiting in 2021, which harmed the industry supply chain and caused its on-time delivery percentage to fall from 99.6 per cent to 61 per cent.

For the company's finishing department, the turnover rate for new workers in 2021 reached 100 per cent at one time. The firm's management team submitted an application for a Fast Forward grant in October 2021 after seeing the need to properly educate new personnel while minimising the impact on veteran staff and increasing stress to achieve production objectives.

"DWD's Fast Forward program encourages statewide economic growth by assisting employers in training workers and filling positions, as well as ensuring meaningful economic advancement for trainees. A skilled workforce is vital to economic development and community growth in Wisconsin,” said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek.

With the help of the grant, entry-level workers from various backgrounds will be trained in sanding and polishing metal castings. To provide a learning environment where employees can learn foundry fundamentals, develop finishing and production skills, improve their understanding of customer specifications, and acclimate to the job's physical demands, WAF developed a dedicated training centre and curriculum with the aid of grant funding. Trainees acquire transferrable skills and get a certificate of completion after the programme for internal career progression.

The company's management also recognised the need to alter hiring procedures to draw in a more diverse workforce and individuals who face job challenges like childcare or language problems. The firm hopes to hire at least 70 individuals by the end of the year after training and hiring 53 workers in late February 2022.