COLUMBUS -- Tonya Wemhoff found a career while looking for a job.
The president and CEO of StaffCo Employment Services, 2336 23rd St., came to Columbus with a masters degree in teaching, but could not find a job.
That led her start the employment business that has grown to include locations in Fremont, which opened in 1995; Norfolk (1997) and West Point (2003).
Tuesday marks the 15th year of the business.
“When we started we were the first employment service in town,” Wemhoff said. “There was no business that understood the temporary business opportunities here.”
Because of the newness of the business, educating the community was job No. 1. She said she had to explain the services the company offers, including the fee structure of collecting from clients, not employees.
“The best part was learning about the different companies in town and offering our services to our customers, which is pretty varied,” Wemhoff said.
StaffCo works as the human resource department for smaller employers, but even the larger firms weigh time vs. money, which is why StaffCo is so valuable to them.
StaffCo is the first contact with perspective employees, having them fill out an application before being interviewed by personnel. An evaluation follows, and if a position is open, the employer is contacted.
StaffCo also is able to handle the payroll for an employer in a temporary or short-time permanent basis.
Every town’s needs are different, she said. Columbus is manufacturing oriented, Norfolk has an emphasis on steel-related jobs, and Fremont and West Point are food industry heavy.
Wemhoff said the job is similar to teaching in that there are peaks and valleys.
“Some students are disruptive, but if you can get that one student where the light bulb goes off, it’s exciting,” she said. “If you can place someone and finally get them doing something they want to do, they get excited and they’ll come back and tell you about it.”
The business has changed through the years as the needs of employees and employers have evolved.
“It’s always changing as trends change and generations pass through the work force,” she said.
Technological requirements for jobs impacted the work world, some have adapted and some have not.
With these changes have come people looking for new careers. Wemhoff said it used to be people would average about three careers in a lifetime, now graduating seniors will average seven in a lifetime.
Wemhoff said her staff members are all American Staffing Association certified and continue with their education, which prepares them for the changing demands of the job.
“Many people come to us wanting to change careers,” she said. “There are no jobs that are unskilled.”
Wemhoff also insists staff members become partners with the community by getting involved in activities and organizations.
She said starting the business in Columbus was the key to StaffCo’s success.
“I don’t think I could have done it if I hadn’t started in Columbus,” she said. “The business community is looking to better people in Columbus.”
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