Published: Saturday, December 1, 2007
Company trains people to get jobs
Newbold started a
successful technology
business in another state.
SALEM — Craig Newbold bills himself as a social engineer.
One of his ideas is that in some cases, people should first get a job, then get an education.
That's because some 76 percent of people with a college degree aren't working in the field they studied, he told Columbiana County business leaders Friday at the Salem Community Center.
Newbold, a native of East Liverpool, started what became a highly regarded information technology company in the state of Washington that also was recognized as one of the best-managed companies, according to David Nestic, who has been presenting economic development programs through the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.
Newbold, who eventually sold his business and now lives in Columbiana, is trying to give something back to the community.
Community, in this case, includes Columbiana County and portions of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
The problem is well-known, Newbold said.
The Cleveland-Pittsburgh area is still reeling from the end of the era of big steel companies. There has been a lack of vision, along with inadequate education, and character and values have diminished, he said.
But the good news is that this area — Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia — has the sixth-largest population market in the United States, Newbold said. There are a history of innovation, a strong work ethic, access to road, air and rail transportation, a high quality of life and low living costs.
Newbold, a Christian, is trying three initiatives.
The American Spirit Initiative wants to involve the faith community and other organizations to focus on common objectives. Information technology companies can be started in this area, and people trained to work in technology fields, he said.
His New Life Academy of Information Technology in East Liverpool is doing just that. People are being trained to work. Some 33 people have already found jobs.
His Newbold Technologies offers application development and integration services to companies.
Newbold said when he approaches businesses to offer them services, he tells them, "We don't want your money. We want your business."
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