Workforce development theme set
MUDDY CREEK TWP — Now, it's got a new theme.
The Moraine State Park Regatta has always tried to show its visitors a good time while also educating them about the park's history and features.
This year the regatta's board added meaning to the long-tenured event by setting a theme.
Mike Hall, regatta leadership board president and owner of General Rental Center, said this year they've implemented the theme of workforce development, with a large tent all its own.
The tent will be on the South Shore of Lake Arthur, along with the rest of the regatta, and will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days of the event.
Hall said the tent will feature trade schools and employers from around the region to help educate, inspire and hire.
He said he is especially looking forward to pushing tradesmanship, a known deficit in today's workforce.
“You don't have to go to college to get a good job and make good money,” Hall said. “There is a definite shortage of tradesmen.”
Hall said businesses are really looking forward to the event as a recruiting opportunity because many of them are struggling to find the right fit. He said in today's good economy, many qualified employees are already hired.
“If you look up and down the road, everybody has help wanted signs right now,” Hall said. “It's about finding the right fit.”
Hall said some employers who are coming include Sheetz, People's Gas and Insight Pipe Contracting.
“They're excited about it because it's something they are all struggling with,” he said.
Barry Kukovich, a spokesman for People's Gas, said the theme provides a great atmosphere to bring a number of topics to the public's attention.
“Basically, we support a lot of events like this under the mantle of tourism,” Kukovich said. “However we can support communities like this, we try to do so.”
Kukovich said the company's search for new employees is ongoing. He said a lot of information can be found online about these opportunities, but meeting people face-to-face offers an opportunity to gather contact information, even if a job isn't immediately available.
“We hire not only people into the company, but we also hire contractors to work on our pipelines,” Kukovich said. “Butler County is a wonderful place to work. It's one of the major counties in our system. We have a great number of customers in that area, and we draw a large number of people in that area to work for us as well.”
Kukovich said beyond recruitment purposes, the event also would offer them a chance to educate the public on natural gas safety, such as notifying the company immediately after a line is struck or at the first smell of gas.
Hall said the job fair follows the regatta's theme of exploration — a personal one of career goals.
Hall said he believes adding the workforce development tent provides a healthy change while also stimulating the economy of the area.
He said during the regatta, the park draws visitors from surrounding counties such as Lawrence, Allegheny and Mercer, among others.
“Moraine State Park is in the middle of a great area,” Hall said. “If we keep growing the housing industry the way it's been going, and business keeps trending, we're in the market for a huge leap economically.
“It's a win-win.”
