Ellwood Aluminum Taps WorkAdvance

HUBBARD – Ellwood Aluminum is the first manufacturer in Trumbull County to take advantage of the WorkAdvance program for its hiring needs. The Hubbard company says it will fill up to 15 aluminum casting operator positions at $16 per hour.

The WorkAdvance program manages and covers the costs of recruiting, training and retaining candidates – even those with no manufacturing experience. The program is administered by Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition and funded primarily through the federal Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities grant.

WorkAdvance targets underemployed people who are looking to make a career switch, but who may lack the specific training and skills for today’s advanced manufacturing environment. It provides a paid, five-week training program tailored to an employer’s specific job requirements and a network of support and job coaching after individuals are hired.

Hank Stull, human resources manager at Ellwood Aluminum, stands in the control room where operators monitor the casting parameters to validate such measures as speed, metal temperature and utility control.

Ellwood Aluminum produces large-diameter aluminum ingots and billets.

Employees work 10- to 12-hour shifts on a rotating schedule. Compensation includes health benefits, holidays, vacation, a wellness program and profit sharing.

Pictured: Alex Beebout, a metallurgical engineer, takes material samples from aluminum-based product that’s being formed into billets. The samples will be analyzed to ensure customer requirements are met.