Cleaver-Brooks business combats workforce shortage

Gonzales Manufacturing, owned by Cleaver-Brooks, has partnered with Texas’ Victoria College to create a training class for welders. In only its second semester, this hands-on, accelerated evening course has been well received and already has a waiting list for next semester.

Industry knowledge and experience is becoming scarce as the boiler industry matures and the workforce reaches retirement age. Cleaver-Brooks' Gonzales, Texas, facility also faces rural location, no training facilities and a product (duct work) that requires a workforce that is more than two-thirds welders. Add this all together and skilled labor becomes a major issue.

"We need a lot of welders," said Julio Tubola, Gonzales Manufacturing's plant manager. "But we have only a small number to draw from, so we're in an all-out effort to get people involved. Our commitment to the industry and to continuing education will present a great resource for welders in the region."

This new welding program is run by long-time Gonzales Manufacturing employee and fitter/welder Pete Riojas. Victoria College is also creating a satellite campus less than a mile away from Gonzales' facility to serve a variety of training needs.

"This is a win/win situation with a great company," said Craig Follins, vice president of the workforce and economic development program at Victoria College. "We didn't see other companies as committed and determined to make this work as Gonzales Manufacturing and Cleaver-Brooks."

Celebrating their 75th anniversary, Cleaver-Brooks is a provider of boiler room products and systems. Selling to both the commercial and industrial markets, they are  the only manufacturer offering an entire integrated boiler room system.