YORK, Pa. — Pennsylvania manufacturing companies are getting to work as another international conflict begins overseas.
Precision Custom Components in York has been building equipment for 145 years -- now supplying submarine components to the United States Navy.
"The sailors are doing the most important job, being deployed, protecting our country, but if we don't do our job right, they're not safe," said Brett Butler, general manager of Precision Custom Components.
The Commonwealth has a long tradition in the industry, with about one out of every ten Pennsylvanians working manufacturing jobs.
As PCC prepares vessels for sea, the pool of workers is drying up.
"We have about 8,000 jobs we're going to be short-skilled workers in Central Pennsylvania, so we really need to invest in helping people enter this career," said Tom Palasin, executive director of the Manufacturers' Association.
New grants could help companies recruit and train more workers. Pennsylvania has secured more than $6 million dollars to support training in the defense industry, much of it coming from the U.S. Navy.
PCC plans to add 50 to 75 jobs to its staff of 125, preparing them to use the latest technology to get the job done.
"We need to be able to take people and evolve their skills and talents to make them be able to produce these products to support the defense of our country," Butler said.
"We hear from companies every day," said Rick Siger, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. "Access to a skilled workforce is critical to their success."
PCC hopes to add machining, welding, fabrication and inspection positions with help from the funding.
The jobs often pay $50,000 or more from day one.
"These are careers that can last lifeline," Siger said. "There's advancement, there's high wages, there are skills to learn, advancement to be seen. I think the more workers that engage in these manufacturing careers, the better."
