Strong Workforce
“We have been able to
hire very talented,
enthusiastic and hardworking
people from the
local community.”
Ron Dennis,
General Manager,
Dollar General
Technological advances have changed the way many
companies do business, but even in today’s high-tech
world, quality employees are still critical to a
company’s success.
Available Workers
Two key factors contribute to the availability of
quality
workers. First, the county’s pool of available workers
is
growing. During the past decade, the labor pool has
grown by nearly 20 percent, and presently totals more
than 40,000. In addition to the local labor supply,
workers from nearby counties routinely travel to
Muskingum County for job opportunities.
During its first 16 months of operation, the employee
count at Dollar General’s Muskingum County
distribution center climbed from 350 to 500 they now
employ over 900. General Manager Ron Dennis found
no shortage of candidates to choose from.
Workforce Preparation
The next generation of
employees is currently
progressing through Muskingum
County’s educational and
training systems. Nearly 18,000
students are enrolled in
Muskingum County’s public and
private schools. To help create
top-quality learning
environments, local voters have
approved bond issues providing funding for $250
million in new or renovated school facilities. After
completing high school, education and training
opportunities remain plentiful in Muskingum County
and vary from short-term training in business and
technical skills to master’s degree programs. Mid-East
Career & Technology Center, Zane State Community
College, Muskingum College and Ohio University-
Zanesville all play important roles in the continuing
education of the area’s workforce.
Major Employers
With such a significant percentage
of county residents employed in
manufacturing, it is no surprise six of the county’s top
10 private-sector employers are manufacturers.