City of La Porte, Ind. has a booming job market, and that expanding industry is attracting many potential employees to the area. La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP), in association with Center for Workforce Innovations (CWI) and WorkOne, hosted a Ready2Work job hiring event showcasing a variety of industries on May 26 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium.
Ecliff Hicks made the trek from Gary, Ind. to see what La Porte businesses had to offer.
“La Porte is a beautiful town,” said Hicks, “Thank God companies are opening up. I am happy to be here and to be able to put my resume in.”
Just over two dozen businesses were at the event and ready to hire. Businesses in attendance included Alexandria Moulding, American Licorice Company, American Renolit, Blue Chip Casino, E-Pak Machinery, Inc., Fiberbond, Indiana Department of Transportation, La Porte County Family YMCA, Northwest Health, Sodexo, WeConnect, and more.
Many of the businesses are looking to fill positions for new lines. American Renolit, a worldwide company with just over 200 employees in La Porte alone, is looking to staff a new calendar line.
Melissa Gruber, human resources manager for American Renolit, discussed the company’s aim for Wednesday’s event.
“Our goal is to fill the positions we have for our new line,” said Gruber. “We are hoping to find some good manufacturing employees.”
American Renolit is a plastic manufacturer that makes films for the graphics business. One of their featured products is printed film that can be used in advertising or to wrap cars.
“We are a growing company with great benefits,” said American Renolit Talent Acquisition and Employee Engagement Specialist Heather Glanz. “We have twelve-hour shifts, which are great because you’re only working half the month unless you sign up for overtime.”
Northwest Health was also in attendance at the event and boasts a new location in downtown La Porte that emphasizes community care.
“We are working to better the lives of community members in La Porte,” said Liebenette Grimm, human resources generalist at Northwest Health – La Porte. “We are building our presence in the community and searching for members in need of a position. We are looking to put the right person in the right position.”
The Ready2Work job hiring event not only featured local businesses in search of new positions, but also focused on preparing potential applicants to be ready to apply for jobs in La Porte.
One of the organizers of the event, Lindsay Jongkind, emphasizes the benefits of working with companies like Work One, The Volunteers of America, and La Porte County Family YMCA.
Jongkind shared her perspective on the importance of the event, especially how aspiring workers can gain valuable benefits by attending.
“With these resources, people can get help writing their resumes or working with their skills and training for jobs,” said Jongkind. “These resources will help our job market because we will have more skilled workers.”
Not only is LEAP working to prepare and attract potential hires, but LEAP is also working to solve the problems that prevent La Porte citizens from working.
“We are utilizing these resources to solve problems like child care and transportation that keep people from taking these jobs,” said Jongkind.
La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody is proud to showcase the developing industry in town.
“We are very proud of the companies here. The economy is growing in La Porte, and there are all types of opportunities for people to go to work,” Dermody said. “We are proud to provide the people of La Porte and the surrounding area the opportunity to improve their lives and provide for their families. You can make a good life in the City of La Porte.”
For more information on what La Porte has to offer, visit laportepartnership.com.
