Ohio Cat sets example to successfully promote the industry

By |  August 27, 2019
Ohio Cat regularly makes efforts to promote its business and, in turn, showcase the industry to those who will someday soon be choosing a career path. Photo by Kevin Yanik

Ohio Cat regularly makes efforts to promote its business and, in turn, showcase the industry to those who will someday soon be choosing a career path. Photo by Kevin Yanik

The office of Pit & Quarry’s parent company, North Coast Media, is situated in downtown Cleveland near some of the city’s top landmarks and facilities.

One such destination is the Great Lakes Science Center, located on the shores of Lake Erie, where Ohio Cat hosted a family event this month called “Meet the Machines.” Through the event, Ohio Cat showcased the construction industry to kids and started the conversation about careers in trade jobs.

“We need to encourage student training and education in construction, and we need to publicize the career opportunities which are available in the construction industry,” says Ken Taylor, president of Ohio Cat. “The first step in attracting young people into the industry is by changing their perceptions.”

Photo:

Events – even ones with young children – are an opportunity to start the conversation about a career. Photo by Kevin Yanik

At the science center, kids were clearly excited as they hopped aboard a compact track loader, got up close with a backhoe loader and explored other Caterpillar equipment. “Meet the Machines” was hardly the first such event Ohio Cat has hosted, though.

The equipment dealer, with multiple locations across the Buckeye State, hosted the same event in July in a Cleveland suburb, and Ohio Cat was a sponsor this summer at Kids Eat Free Night during a Columbus Clippers minor league baseball game.

Through such events, Ohio Cat engages parents and children about the ample employment opportunities it has available. Ohio Cat also details how it not only sells equipment and parts, but how it fixes equipment and effectively markets it.

In addition, Ohio Cat participates in a number of trade shows, job fairs and school outreach events throughout the year, maintaining a goal of being a champion for workforce development within the industry.

Efforts like Ohio Cat’s are essential to build the workforce for the industry’s next generation. Hiring has been a top challenge for aggregate producers in recent years, but going the extra mile and presenting your business in a way that appeals to up-and-comers is critical to secure the industry’s future.

Kevin Yanik

About the Author:

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

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