The Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development is seeking manufacturers to take part in a job fair — and for workers looking to improve their lot in life.

The Manufacturers’ Job Fair is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at The Mall.

Aaron White, coalition executive director, said Thursday that manufacturers often are desperate not for specific skills, but for someone who shows up to work every day and can be trained.

White said Workforce Investment Act funding can offset a company’s training cost by up to $3,000 per worker.

“(Manufacturers are) looking for someone reliable, who will show up when they’re supposed to and are interested in learning a new trade,” he said. “These companies are not looking for someone who is already a welder.”

A recent study of the nine-county labor basin showed a significant number of people who said they were willing to change careers for the right price.

“The problem is their current skills and background don’t match up with the ideal … a lot of them are coming from retail and service sectors,” While said, noting manufacturers are seeking “that person who’s not missed a day on the job in five years.”

With the latest Ellis County unemployment rate at an uncomfortably low 2.4 percent, White is counting on workers shifting careers to help the manufacturing labor shortage.

It’s a concern that ties back to high housing costs of the area, he said, noting sometimes companies recruit employees from out of the area — workers who change their mind when they see housing costs.

“We want to focus on people already in the area, established in the area,” White said, “and let them know there are good-paying jobs and good careers in the production area.”

Manufacturers interested in having a booth at the career fair should contact Ernee Sly at the coalition at (785) 628-3102 or [email protected] by noon Feb. 10.