LEBANON, Pa. - A central Pennsylvania-based hardwood lumber company has developed a career center in an effort to attract workers.

 

Weaber Lumber, a maker of hardwood flooring, trim boards, and stair parts, is seeing growth and is looking to hire for a number of positions. But it's having a hard time finding employees.

 

“Weaber is growing strong,” said Matt Weaber, company CEO. “We are a main supplier/vendor in hardwoods for national companies as well as many local and state companies in the construction industry. With our growth came an even more important need to attract new employees to get the job done.”

 

Weaber worked with the city of Lebanon to transform a vacant building downtown. Dozens showed up for the center's grand opening last month, including state and country representatives, and the town mayor.

 

Weaber needs to hire for 150 positions, including laborers, welders, foresters, forklift drivers, and truck drivers. Average starting pay is $16.50 an hour. Workers have the opportunity to work their way up to as much as $70,000 a year.

 

“We want to help people achieve personal growth and job betterment,” said Weaber. "We developed the Weaber Career Center to help educate and train potential employees. More than that, we continually train to advance into a career—a career that provides advancement with higher wages and higher skills.”

 

Those interested will begin their application process at the center and undergo safety training. Once completed, work will start at either the company's distribution center or headquarters - both of which are in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. A van is available to help transport employees to and from the company's headquarters. Bilingual training is also available.

 

Weaber credits the pandemic as the source of its growth, as it believes it has caused more people to invest in their homes. The company offers weathered wall boards, hardwood flooring, hardwood trim boards, oak & poplar mouldings, stair parts, secondary products, and logs.