Transcript of podcast follows
Rick Sizemore (Rick) Welcome to the VR workforce Studio. Today on Episode 12 we answer one of the most compelling workforce and disability employment questions of the modern age. “Where is the door to the goldmine?” You’ll get the answers in an interview with a retired senior engineer from the Hershey Company and past president of Margin Development Training. Compelling answers and strategies to help individuals with disabilities not only find the door to the goldmine but we open it up and take a look inside at the opportunities that exist for those interested in the new wave of jobs in manufacturing.

I’m Rick Sizemore along with Co-Host Anne Hudlow (Anne) here in the VR Workforce Studio. We are bringing you the inspiring stories of how individuals with disabilities are overcoming the obstacles to employment as we celebrate the champions of business and industry that hire individuals with disabilities as well as the vocational rehabilitation professionals who dedicate their lives and careers to helping individuals with disabilities go to work so they can lead more productive lives, build up our workforce and move the Virginia Economy forward. Stories from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center published by the WWRC Foundation at WWRCf.org

Rick - Anne we have lots of exciting things going on.

Anne - I love the show title- Where is the door to the goldmine. Well I know where one door is….because we continue to hear is how forklift training and experience often provides a gateway to employment in numerous fields, especially the manufacturing environment. I talked to a WWRC Trainee, Aaron Laznow and he said the first time on a forklift was a little unnerving but with practice he now feels confident about the fork truck and in getting a job.

I was a little nervous at first because you don’t know if you are going to scrape it on the side or the top. But once you get the hang of it, its just like driving a car except your steer it with wheels in the rear. I think it will help me get a job because the more you know the more you are likely to get the job you want.

Anne - And walking through that employers door with the skills needed to get that job is what WWRC’s program is all about. We are really excited about Aaron and everyone who is training at WWRC. Our Foundation is designed to help vocational rehabilitation at WWRC. If you’d like to know more check us out at wwrcf.org.

Rick - Jim Leech is a retired senior engineer with over 20 years of project management and process system design experience with the Hershey Company in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. After leaving Hershey, he joined Blue Ridge Community College as the Program Head for their Manufacturing Engineering Technology program where he instructed and developed four of the curriculum’s course books including texts on Industrial Technology, Business Management, Manufacturing Economics and Industrial Automation.

Prior to Joining the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center where he is now employed as the Manufacturing Technology Training Instructor and with the responsibility for the program’s curriculum development, Jim operated a management consulting business entitled Margin Development Training, LLC which consulted with plants throughout the Shenandoah Valley on margin improvement and skills training for maintenance and technology based employees. Jim now works with individuals with disabilities at the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center helping them prepare for job in manufacturing.   Jim Leech welcome to the VR Workforce Studio.

Jim – Glad to be here with you today, Rick.

Rick- Jim we are constantly hearing about how manufactures are looking for skilled and credentialed workers in Virginia and how the pipeline of potential candidates is a major issue.   You’ve worked in manufacturing a long time, what do you think the answer is to finding workers for all these jobs that becoming available in