Paragon Metals, Inc. is a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier of automotive, truck, industrial and heavy equipment to Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Volvo and Behr. Headquartered in Hillsdale, the company has facilities in China and Korea.
Paragon recently expanded it Michigan footprint by adding another facility in the Hillsdale Industrial Park. In order to adequately staff growth, the company worked closely with Michigan Works! by holding job fairs, posting jobs on the Pure Michigan MiTalent Connect website, and hiring several unemployed, laid off, dislocated or underemployed employees who qualified for over $21,000 in On-the-Job Training (OJT) grants.
Moreover, Paragon received a Going PRO Talent Fund grant of $18,000 to help start an electrical apprenticeship and hire 10 new employees.
Cole Breault was a recent high school graduate when he came to Michigan Works! last year. He was referred to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program/Career Adviser to assist him in attaining his goal of obtaining employment. He lived with his mom and had been involved in the court process, but had no record that would impact him gaining employment. Upon enrolling into the WIOA program, Cole had no prior work experience.
After working to ensure Cole had a resume and other tools he would need to be successful, Cole’s career adviser found out that Paragon was interested in hiring him for a CNC operator position and informed them that Cole was enrolled in WIOA and OJT eligible.
As a result of this growth–and the Michigan Works! programs that helped make it possible–Paragon Metals and Cole Breault have both become vibrant parts of the economic resurgence in Hillsdale County.
We are excited to share that we are now scheduling both virtual and in-person appointments! If you do not have access to reliable technology, we are ready to schedule an in-person appointment with you.
• Appointments must be pre-scheduled. Contact us to book an appointment.
• We are not able to offer in-person appointments to address issues related to unemployment insurance.
• Before you enter the building, every visitor must complete a health screening questionnaire and have their temperature checked.
• You will not be able to enter our building if you have a fever of 100.4 or higher, or, if you answer “yes” to any of the health screening questions.
• We are unable to accommodate guests/additional people with you for your appointment.
• To maintain the safety of our team, face coverings and physical distancing are also required.
• We are here to serve you virtually if you are medically unable to wear a face covering.
• Our team members will use laser pointers to assist you on the computer.
• If you are experiencing symptoms, stay home and request a virtual appointment.