130 employers attend job fair to attract workers displaced by upcoming TPI closure

About 130 employers across Iowa participated in a career fair Dec. 9-10 at the DMACC Newton Campus to offer job opportunities to the 710 workers from TPI Composites who will be without a job once the wind blade manufacturing plant closes its facility by the end of December.

Organized by IowaWORKS, the job fair was separated into three sessions in accordance with TPI workers’ shifts. Jeff Graney, business marketing specialist of IowaWORKS, hoped this approach would allow as many employees as possible to browse their options, whether they worked for TPI or not.

“Considering the number of employers that expressed interest and were calling either us or TPI, and since we’re a state government agency, it got to the point where if we had this many people let’s just put it out for the general public to make it a bigger event and more worthwhile for the community,” Graney said.

Regardless, the job fair was initially created to aid TPI employees displaced by the closure. The manufacturer announced late September it had no planned wind blade volumes in 2022 and would suspend operations by the end of the year, citing supply chain issues and the uncertainty of wind-related tax credits.

Although TPI extended its lease of its factory through 2022 and noted it would actively explore other opportunities for meaningful work at the facility, a closure is likely certain. Josh Syhlman, general manager of TPI Iowa, said the company’s goal is to make this transition as seamless as possible for its associates.

“…And partnering with IowaWORKS to host this job fair is key to making that happen,” Syhlman said in a statement to Newton News. “We are extremely grateful for, not only the support we have received from IowaWORKS and the community, but also for the participation of approximately 120 employers.”

ALL KINDS OF BUSINESSES GATHER

Industry names from all across the state set up booths inside DMACC, many of which offered applications. Out-of-county companies like Amazon, HNI Corporation, Titan Tire International and Tyson Foods were among those. Dave Underwood, a recruiter of HNI, the turnout of the first session was steady.

By 10 a.m., Underwood found a number of applicants willing to relocate to the Muscatine-based manufacturer’s headquarters. The company was even offering relocation bonuses and signing bonuses as incentives, which Underwood suggested is important for today’s employers wanting to attract a workforce.

“And I think career fairs are important nowadays more than ever,” he said. “It’s definitely a candidate’s market. To be able to come to one area and be able to see all the company’s that are hiring and gather information all at once, versus going online and having to weed through all of that.”

Local employers took advantage of the job fair as well, such as Aureon and Park Centre. Brett Godwin, director of people and culture at Park Centre, said the fair not only gets its name out into the community but it also allows the senior housing facility attempt to fill its staffing needs and offer something different.

“We’re in need of all nursing positions, so CNAs, LPNs, RNs,” Godwin said. “We also offer a CNA aide and training program that we can send people to get trained. We do our own in-house training as well. Then we also pay for their certification. We also have dining and a couple housekeeping positions open.”

EMPLOYERS OFFER NEWER INCENTIVES

Although several of the participating businesses were manufacturers and would no doubt allow for a smoother transition for some employees, it was not uncommon to see more unique job positions advertised at the fair. Aureon, a call center located in Legacy Plaza, offered remote and hybrid working opportunities.

Currently, Aureon Contact Center employees work remotely 100 percent of the time. Matt Lanasa, chief people officer at Aureon, told Newton News that the company and many other organizations across the country are finding remote and hybrid models have the potential to positively benefit office culture.

Working from home also seems to help employee output, so leveraging those opportunities is an effective way for companies to attract and maintain Iowa-based talent, Lanasa added. Finding workers is no easy feat right now. Workforce and staffing shortages is a nationwide trend with no easy solution.

There may not be a one-size-fits-all answer, but companies are responding to those workforce trends.

“At Aureon, we focus on leveraging flexible work models that support our employees,” Lanasa said. “We also try to embrace evolving workplace trends to not only attract talent from outside of our state, but to also maintain the opt talent that is already in Iowa.”

WORKFORCE STRUGGLES FORCE ADAPTATIONS

Tanya Michener, associate director of Newton Development Corporation, attended the job fair at DMACC. She, too, recognizes the workforce struggles, such as reduced labor pools for all age groups and difficulties retaining workers at or above retirement age.

Quality of life and expectations of work-and-life balance with the current workforce is causing some issues, too; which is requiring employers to shift entire processes and flows all while still trying to produce, create or serve. Michener said it will take time and conversations for businesses to adapt.

Overall Michener keeps a positive outlook for what she describes as the ideal workforce in communities like Newton. She would like to see a workforce of all generations, genders and ethnicities, and one that includes volunteer opportunities with depth for those who have left the paying workforce.

“I think volunteers are an often underutilized part of our workforce and are not led to believe that what they contribute is valuable,” Michener said. “It is treated as whimsy instead of what it really is: a way for every person to contribute to their community and make it sustainable while adding to their own quality of life and intended reason for being.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com