Ask the WIB
All Lake County Workforce Development programs operate under the oversight
and strategic guidance of the Lake County Workforce Investment Board (WIB).
Recently, we asked WIB member Andrew Warrington to tell us more about careers
in the manufacturing industry and his experience on the WIB.
Q: The manufacturing industry is getting a lot of buzz lately. What do you want
job seekers to know about the field that they might not know?
A: The truth is that the manufacturing industry has come a long way from Henry
Ford and the early assembly line. Jobs in modern manufacturing look nothing
like the days when workers did tedious, repetitive, mindless tasks for hours on
end on a gritty shop floor. These days manufacturing companies have to be
Andrew Warrington is
the President and Chief
innovative and flexible, and so do our workers. We’re definitely looking for
Operating Officer of
team members who have basic skills, but also for people who understand that
United Conveyor
their job is also to solve problems, identify ways to improve, and collaborate to
Corporation in
make things happen. We want people who bring their hands and their brains to
Waukegan, Illinois.
work—at every level of the organization and in every role. This kind of culture
UCC employs over 400
talented people and
and energy are what is driving the next generation of American manufacturing,
manufactures
and there are real opportunities for people who have that kind of attitude.
environmental control
systems for power
Q: Speaking of opportunity, what makes manufacturing so exciting?
plants and has been a
A: The career path is one of the things that makes the manufacturing industry
respected name in the
power business for 94
most exciting. This is one of the few sectors in our economy with relatively low
years. Andrew became
barriers to entry—most jobs require some credentials, but not a college
President of UCC in
degree—where you can earn really great wages, usually with benefits. In fact
2013. Prior to that, for
many employers in the field will also pay for tuition reimbursement. For
15 years, he was with a
example, someone can start out with basic CNC credentials from a 4 month
manufacturing
company in
training program, and from there they can earn a decent living while adding
Indianapolis, Indiana
new credentials and moving up the pay scale. Because the current
finishing with 4 years as
manufacturing workforce is aging and looking to retire soon, not only will there
its President. He served
be lots of opportunities, but employers are very motivated to help support
as the Chairman of the
workers that are looking to increase their skills and advance.
board of Employ Indy,
the Workforce
Q: You recently relocated to Lake County from Indianapolis, where you also sat
Investment Board for
on the local WIB. Why are you interested in workforce development and
Indianapolis. He has a
bachelors and PhD
participating in the WIB?
degrees in
A: First off, the WIB is a great way to give back to the community, but it’s also a
Manufacturing
Engineering from Leeds
fantastic place to make business connections. The other people involved in
Metropolitan University
workforce development are all focused on the same issues I am—job training,
in the United Kingdom.
hiring the best people, growing our busin ess—and we give each other ideas and
explore the services available through the Workforce Development Department.
Plus, after my very first WIB meeting in Lake County, I’m already working with
www.unitedconveyor.com
two other WIB members on business deals.
For more information about the WIB, contact Gary Gibson at
[email protected] or 847.377.2234.
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