LANSING, MI (Sep 17, 2020) – The Michigan Works! Association recently honored DHT Group and International Building Products for their commitment to training and developing a pipeline of skilled and competent talent in Michigan. Named Michigan Works! Association Employers of the Year, DHT Group and International Products both received awards during the association’s annual conference.
“The Michigan Works! Association is proud to honor two companies this year with the Employer of the Year Award,” said Luann Dunsford, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association. “This award recognizes private sector companies that, in partnership with Michigan Works!, goes beyond the call of duty, continuously contributes to local job placement and promotes education to maintain a skilled workforce. Congratulations to DHT Group and International Building Products on winning the award this year!”
Founded in 1983, Dave Hausbeck Trucking (DHT) is a trucking company based in Reese, Michigan that has over 30 years of transportation experience. The company began with one truck moving freight around the United States. Today, DHT has over 300 employees and has grown into many different divisions, including several related companies. DHT has expanded to other cities in Michigan including Port Huron, Newport, and Sault Ste. Marie as well as out-of-state to their newest location in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
In January 2020, DHT received the Bronze Level Veteran-Friendly Employer Status, the first award made this year by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA). Since receiving the status, they have attended veteran recruitment strategy seminars to engage in conversation and exchange different strategies that have been effective for other veteran-friendly employers. Their goal is to become a Silver Level Veteran-Friendly Employer by 2021.
“DHT has engaged in multiple community events and sponsorships throughout the years,” said Chris Rishko, director, Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!. “DHT helped build their talent pipeline by participating and sponsoring MiCareerQuest hosted by Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! for area high school students. DHT utilizes Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! services by hosting single company job fairs along with attending industry-specific fairs to expose their brand and find new talent within the community.”
Additionally, DHT is involved with diesel mechanic programs on both high school and collegiate levels. In the fall of 2019, DHT bean a co-op program for high school students interested in gaining real-world experience in a diesel mechanic role.
“The co-op program is a great starting point for students and has the potential to turn into a part-time, or even full-time, role once they graduate,” Risko said. “Students have the opportunity to train with DHT’s in-house paid technician training program. On the collegiate level, DHT donated a truck to the Delta College Diesel Technician Program for students to participate in a hands-on learning environment where students can perform minor and major repairs on a diesel truck.”
Josh Zimmerman, sales manager at DHT Group, said the company is honored to receive this award.
“At DHT our employees are our number one asset,” said Zimmerman. “Without our drivers, mechanics, office staff, and everyone else within DHT Group, we would not be able to operate and serve our customers as well as we do.”
International Building Products (IBP), based in Livonia, Michigan, has been a vital part of Michigan since it opened its doors in 1946. IBP has been a strong asset to the commercial construction industry and its iconic buildings and structures.
“IBP has a very strong commitment to community involvement,” Greg Pitoniak, director, SEMCA, said. “The company has participated in many SEMCA Michigan Works! initiatives such as Going PRO Talent Fund, apprenticeships, Incumbent Worker Training, on-the-job training, and the Summer Youth Professionals Program. IBP has been in constant contact with their Michigan Works! partners and have had over five placements this past fiscal year, including multiple on-the-job training efforts to help their new hires become efficiently trained. The company also attended multiple job fairs at their local SEMCA Michigan Works! American Job Center.”
IBP is a proud member of the Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) and participates in weekly CAM initiatives. This includes participating in professional development opportunities for IBP staff, including construction field events intended to stay updated on in-field changes and networking event participation to connect with businesses in the construction field. They have also supported K-12 students in learning more about construction as a career.
Chrissy Brown, president and CEO of International Building Products, said the company is honored to receive this award.
“The collaboration with the SEMCA Michigan Works! Livonia American Job Center and Justin Skibin has been outstanding,” said Brown. “Communication is key and rare to find. Communicating with their team has helped us find some of our key personnel.”
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Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.