DOVER — A consolidation of Energizer’s Montreal and Dover facilities will bring approximately 270 positions to its location at 804 Walker Road over next few years, said Jennifer Schandelmeier, Energizer human resources director.

The company is holding a job fair today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn on N. Dupont Highway in Dover.

Delaware Economic Development Office workforce development director Sonia Aguilar shows Allem Harim corporate training manager Robert Alvarado one of the many training tools on display during Tuesday’s announcement of the new Delaware Manufacturing Development Center at Polytech Adult Education. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)[/caption]

Energizer is just one of the companies whose employeees will be trained at the Manufacturing Development Center at Polytech Adult Education. The training is thorough and potentially lucrative.

Energizer Personal Care–Playtex Manufacturing hopes to employ Electronic Technicians (2nd and 3rd shifts) at $24.29 an hour; production mechanics (2nd & 3rd shifts) at $22.03 an hour; and engineers (electrical, mechanical, process, reliability, etc.)

Sign-on bonuses of $750 for electronic technicians and $500 for production mechanics will be offered to those who are hired and successfully complete the 90-day introductory period.

“Currently, we’re looking for local individuals with technical skills for maintenance mechanic and electronic technician positions,” Ms. Schandelmeier said.

“We’re also looking for experienced engineers. In the coming years, we will be hiring for a variety of positions, including machine operators and technicians.”

Energizer Holdings, which is headquartered in St. Louis, will add the Carefree and Stayfree brands to the Dover plant, which currently features a line of feminine care products, as well as baby care items.

Energizer was one of several companies whose officials toured the Delaware Manufacturing Development Center Tuesday afternoon.

Through the center, staff will teach manufacturing skills on campus in Woodside as well as onsite at area facilities.

The hands-on curriculum from Scientific Management Techniques will teach workers the skills they need to operate, maintain and troubleshoot a manufacturing facility.

They will learn on the same tools, components and systems they will encounter on the floor. There are more than 200 hands-on training aids. With the assessment machines clients know the skill set and skill level of each candidate prior to hire.

“It enables them in a safe controlled environment to learn the concept for mechanics or anyone adjusting machinery,” said Rod Bullock, senior manager employee developer for Energizer. “It gives them a better understanding as to how the machines work. “

Along with the curriculum and new equipment, the center offers six trained and certified instructors and assessors.

Mr. Bullock said Energizer currently has seven employees in training on its site and use Polytech instructors to teach its workers.

“We have another 50 employees in our pipeline,” he added. “All of them work for us (and) we’re increasing their job skills and knowledge.

“In a future date there will be a lot more. On average the training lasts about six to eight weeks for production technicians, but sometimes it depends on where they’re coming from.

“If they’re coming from another manufacturing company and have some experience we get them up and rolling very quickly. If someone comes in with a lesser skill set, it may take longer.”

Workers can use the assessment tools to find out their skill levels when they first start. The tools allow employers to evaluate their existing workers’ capabilities and training needs, and while students work through the curriculum, they can also benchmark how far they’ve come.

The protocols are used in the hiring process around the globe to select and evaluate everyone from maintenance mechanics to process control technicians to machine operators.

Ms. Schandelmeier believes the move will benefit Dover.

“Our website includes a listing of the positions we’re currently hiring for in Dover, along with job descriptions and requirements,” Ms. Schandelmeier said.

“We believe the move to Dover will allow us to benefit from technical efficiencies in our manufacturing footprint, in addition to being close to our customers.”

Anyone interested should have resumes on hand for on-spot interviews and apply online prior to the job fair at www.energizerholdings.com