Yokohama expects to make less tires than predicted

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Three and a half years ago, Yokohama opened in West Point.

Once again, there were jobs, and manufacturing in Clay County. But, Yokohama’s recently released 2018 3rd Quarter Results Briefing shows the company adjusted its earnings and the number of tires they expect to make.

The company cited facility issues and employment reasons. It’s not uncommon, but there are community resources to help companies, such as Yokohama.

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security’s website shows more than 15,000 available jobs in the state. With more than 61,000 unemployed.

Companies and staffing agencies say there are various reasons staffing is an issue, from training to work ethic.

The goal is finding the resources that can help the future employee and the employer.

Yokohama expected to make nearly a million tires in 2018 but had to lower that number to 500,000.

In its quarterly report, the company said high turnover rates and a lack of training played a role.

East Mississippi Community College provides workforce training in the Golden Triangle region.

Its industry advisory board partners with technical experts, including Yokohama, to offer the classes and training industries want. The community college says it’s also open to changing the types of classes offered based on what companies tell them they need.

“We are trying to help the workforce training initiative and promote the skill training and craft technician training, and we want to work with them and other companies in the area to help them find a skilled workforce they need so they can be successful here and grow,” said EMCC President Dr. Scott Alsobrooks.

Dr. Alsobrooks says there is a national shortage of skilled technicians.

Mississippi’s unemployment rate stands at 4.8%, which the community college leader says leads to lower enrollment.

“There really is, there’s a people shortage. We need more people to go into the skill professions and the technical professions. I think the whole country is experiencing this, and we’re promoting that, and we will continue to work with our companies to promote people that go into the technical trades,” Dr. Alsobrooks.

EMCC believes Yokohama’s report is not unusual for manufacturers.

However, it’s not always about education.

Local staffing agencies, who declined to go on camera, tell us work ethic, drug tests, and reliable transportation are some of the issues they face in placing workers with industrial companies.