Conexus Indiana Launches Job Board with Ascend Network

“Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics companies are the backbone of our economy, and they need a direct line to the people who want to build careers in this industry. This job board gives job seekers a clear front door and gives employers across the state a stronger way to find the talent they need.” - Jay Wirts, President and CEO, Conexus Indiana ICYMI: We have recently launched a job board featuring thousands of open positions statewide in advanced manufacturing and logistics, in conjunction with our sister organization, Ascend Indiana. By bringing job listings together into one searchable platform, the Conexus Indiana Job Board gives job seekers a clearer path into those industries and gives employers a more efficient way to reach qualified candidates. Learn more via Inside INdiana Business: https://ow.ly/NFNQ50ZMxMT

UA Local 81 was featured in a USA Today story highlighting how Micron's $100 billion megafab project in Central New York is expanding union membership and transforming the regional workforce. Business Manager Marcus Williamee notes the surging interest in skilled trade careers: "We've had to say no a lot of times, and now we can say yes to everybody who is ready to join the skilled trades." The article was syndicated and ran in over a dozen USA Today outlets across NY. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/egfq_b2w #UALocal81 #USAToday #SkilledTrades #Micron #UnionJobs USA TODAY City of Syracuse

Some encouraging news for American manufacturing. Manufacturing added another 16,000 jobs in August and has now gained 58,000 jobs since December. After a long stretch when we heard mostly about manufacturing jobs disappearing, seeing employment moving the other direction is worth recognizing. Beyond the headline number, manufacturing supports a much broader ecosystem of suppliers, logistics, communities and skilled trades. Are you seeing more manufacturing investment or activity in the markets you work with? #Manufacturing #USJobs #GoodNews

People talk about “the skills gap” in manufacturing like it’s a shortage of people. Most of the time, locally, I don’t think that’s actually what’s happening. There’s plenty of people with the raw ability. What’s harder to find is recent, hands-on experience on the equipment growing businesses are installing now, rather than what was standard ten or fifteen years ago. North Staffordshire still has a strong base of people who came up through traditional manufacturing and engineering. What’s changed is the kit. So when I hear a client say there’s nobody out there, I’m honestly a little sceptical. Usually what they mean is there’s nobody out there who already knows their exact machine, on day one, with no training required. That’s not a skills gap. That’s an unwillingness to invest in an induction period, dressed up as a candidate shortage. The businesses that are actually growing despite this are hiring for aptitude and building in proper training on the newer equipment, rather than holding out for someone who’s already done exactly that role, on exactly that machine, somewhere else. I think more clients need to hear that the shortage they’re describing is often a choice, not a fact about the market. #Manufacturing #Staffordshire #SkillsGap #Engineering

America’s manufacturing workforce doesn’t build itself. Foundries need skilled employees today—and a strong pipeline of future workers ready to build careers in metalcasting. That’s why NFFS is joining the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) in urging Congress to support CTE and workforce development funding for FY 2027. The impact is real. CTE helps expose students to manufacturing earlier, build industry-relevant skills and connect employers with better-prepared candidates who are more likely to stay. Our latest blog explains why this funding matters to foundries—and how NFFS members and their employees can help: https://lnkd.in/eXkhhHEc Read the blog. Then take action. Contact Congress and make sure the voice of metalcasting is heard. #NFFS #MetalCasting #Manufacturing #WorkforceDevelopment #CTE #SkilledWorkforce #AmericanManufacturing Bill Padnos Erin B. Jerrod Weaver

You can’t solve a skilled labor shortage by waiting for more skilled labor to appear. You have to build it. 💪 Training is already one of the top actions aftermarket businesses are taking to address the talent shortage, and AAPEX gives professionals opportunities to develop the technical skills needed for an evolving industry. Come sharpen your skills, explore what's next, and bring your team along to learn together. https://lnkd.in/dCukKNj3 #AAPEX26 #AutomotiveAftermarket #AutomotiveEducation

Recruiting should not restart from zero every time a carrier needs another driver. That is one of the problems we are working to change at FreightPro. Traditional recruiting is transactional. A driver becomes a lead, gets hired, and often disappears from the recruiting ecosystem until the next time they need a job. We believe the relationship should continue. The next FreightPro experience is being built around: - persistent professional identity - smarter driver and carrier matching - recruiting - truck-focused mapping - social content - professional networking - groups, networking & meetups - stronger verification. A driver can be employed and still stay connected to the industry. A carrier can hire today and continue building relationships for tomorrow. That creates something very different from another job board or lead source. It creates a transportation network. And we are getting very close to putting the next version of it into the market. One transportation ecosystem. #FreightPro #Trucking #CDLDrivers #Transportation #FreightTech

One thing I’ve really enjoyed about getting into manufacturing recruiting is how much I’ve learned from simply having conversations with people. Every conversation is different. Some people are looking for better opportunities. Some want more growth. Some are ready for a change in their schedule. And some aren’t looking at all, but are willing to hear about the right opportunity. It’s reminded me that recruiting isn’t just about matching a resume to a job description. It’s about understanding what someone has done, what they want next, and what would actually make a move worthwhile. I’m still learning a lot about the manufacturing industry, especially the Georgia market. I’ve really enjoyed connecting with people along the way. If you work in Georgia manufacturing, I’d love to connect and hear more about what you do and what you’re seeing in the industry. #GeorgiaManufacturing #Manufacturing #Recruiting #Networking #GeorgiaJobs gpac

Truck transportation added 4,800 jobs in August, reaching its highest employment level since October. But analysts caution that one strong month does not signal a turning point — the sector is still down roughly 10,000 jobs compared to a year ago, and warehouse employment continues to slide. https://vist.ly/5hci8

Southeast Michigan manufacturing is moving into its next growth cycle. Detroit-area EV expansion, new defense jobs in Sterling Heights, and FANUC’s planned growth in Pontiac are creating fresh demand for production, skilled trades, assembly, quality, maintenance, and logistics talent. For manufacturers, growth is exciting: but scaling a workforce from 10 employees to 100+ requires more than filling job orders. It requires consistent screening, shift commitment, skills verification, and dependable support throughout the ramp. That is where Qualigence Staffing helps. With more than 20 years of regional experience and offices in Livonia and Shelby Township, we help Southeast Michigan manufacturers respond to volume hiring needs with pre-screened workers aligned to their operation. Our team meets candidates face to face, verifies qualifications, and stays involved after placement. Because speed matters. But speed with the right people matters more. What workforce challenge is your operation preparing for as Southeast Michigan manufacturing continues to expand? Learn more at www.qualigencestaffing.com. #Manufacturing #SoutheastMichigan #DetroitManufacturing #WorkforceSolutions #IndustrialStaffing #SkilledTrades #VolumeStaffing