Orion's April 2018 eNewsletter
 
 








Vanessa, Orion graduate.



Vanessa     

Vanessa is a self-described people person who loves making people happy. She also likes to learn new things. This was not always the case for Vanessa; before coming to Orion, Vanessa struggled for 12 years with a barrier that caused her to be reclusive and affected her confidence. Vanessa exclaimed, "Orion helped me get back to myself by giving me to the opportunity to be a person who was not stuck behind a door anymore. I am me again!"

Orion's Office Skills and Customer Service training program was a good place for Vanessa to start her journey back to being confident and capable. Jeri Lucas, the Office Skills Instructor, offered positive reinforcement as Vanessa built her skill set. As Vanessa learned more, her confidence grew. Vanessa responded well to the learning environment, and explained, "I worked to be positive, telling myself 'I can do it,' to build myself up, until I realized that all my capabilities were in me. I discovered myself at that point, and my confidence continued to grow!"
Vanessa working at Reception at Northwest Center.
Spending four months working with her mentor at Orion's front desk was another great learning opportunity for Vanessa. While she practiced the skills needed for the position, she also learned from others. Vanessa said, "I learned from Erin, my mentor, and realized that if she can do this then I can too. I also helped coordinate everyone coming for the weekly training program tours, and although I could see everyone as an individual who was facing their own barriers, I could see myself in them also, and realized that on some level we are all the same. That helped me keep my head up, and gave me the faith to keep pushing forward."

Erin said, "A mistake can be a great tool, if we learn from it and move forward. Vanessa had the ability to learn quickly, and strived for quality. She was always very helpful and demonstrated that she is a great asset." 

Vanessa now works at Northwest Center's reception desk, and feels capable and comfortable in the role. Katie, Vanessa's supervisor at Northwest Center, said, "Vanessa, and her contagious smile, have been a wonderful addition to the reception team. We love having her here at Northwest Center!"

Vanessa related, "I'm very happy at Northwest Center. Orion helped me to prepare for my current role. My experience with Orion was great. Orion has the right people who really care about helping others. Orion is the best opportunity to make yourself successful." 

Congratulations Vanessa! 



 

 Mark working in Orion's Planning Department.

For seven years, after graduating from college, Mark worked as a staff writer and editor in Boston. First at a tech review start-up and then for USA Today. He then relocated to the Pacific Northwest when his wife was offered her dream job at Wizards of the Coast. With the resulting move across the country Mark found himself in the job market in an unfamiliar environment.

Finding Orion was a step in the right direction for Mark. He attended an Orion presentation at a local WorkSource office and thought that having access to Orion's job developers would be a huge benefit. Mark came for a tour and decided to enroll in Orion's paid manufacturing training program.
Mark at work in the Tool Crib on Orion's Auburn production floor.
"I was a little worried that going down the manufacturing career path might not be right for me, but my mentor recognized my skill set and was able to adapt the program for me," Mark explained.

While working in the Tool Crib area, Mark reorganized the storage system. He created a program that allows the user to enter the tool they need that will then return the bin where it is located.  This has increased the efficiency of the department. Mark's success has earned him a temporary off-site work assignment reorganizing the Tool Crib at Pressco Products in Kent. Mark said, "Before finding Orion I was at a low point and was feeling lost. My self-image was eroded from the job application process. I've always been a self-starter, but Orion reminded me of the things I'm capable of." 

Tanya Minerich, one of Mark's mentors, said, "Mark has blown me away with his ability. His computer knowledge is amazing and he has shown me new things, and has come up with time savers even while learning multiple step tasks. He requires only minimal instruction or supervision, and he has a great attitude and is always willing to take on anything."

Being a recent transplant to the area has not helped with Mark's job search. Mark said, "Orion was a stable force for me in an uncertain time. It's really hard to grow if you can't put down roots. Orion has been stable ground for me, and has let me grow. I've been reminded of who I am, and I have a belief in my own abilities."  

If you would like to learn more about Mark, or if you would like to see his resume, please contact Cathy Wegner at 253-661-7805 x209 or email her at cathy.wegner@orionworks.org.

Orion partnering with United Way's Free Tax Campaign


Orion and United Way are partnering once again for United Way's Free Tax Preparation Campaign! Anyone who earned less than $66,000 in 2017 is eligible for this FREE service. The Free Tax Preparation Campaign is part of a community-wide effort to help 50,000 people escape poverty by 2020.

Orion's site will remain open to provide Free Tax Preparation until Wednesday, April 18th.

Orion Industries 
1590 A Street NE
Auburn, WA 98002

Site schedule 
Mon: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

To locate other sites near you, or if you have questions about eligibility or what documents to bring, visit United Way's website at:


Program tours are available!

Orion Industries, Auburn, currently has openings available in all of our training programs:
If you are working with someone who would benefit from this training program, please have them attend our weekly tour - Monday at 9am!
  • Our Office Skills & Customer Service Program offers students exposure to computer training, customer service training and keyboarding / 10-key skills training. It utilizes a self-directed model, in a small classroom setting, with instructor support. Each Friday, interactive group customer service discussions are led by the instructor. Students are offered a daily stipend of $10 for class attendance.
Orion has multiple open spots for direct job placement support services to individuals not in our training programs. If you are interested in direct job placement services, please contact a Job Developer at 253-661-7805.


Meet a Mentor - Richard Mika

Richard Mika, Orion mentor (standing), explaining a production process to a program participant.

Mentors are more than manufacturers. They are individuals who take it upon themselves to guide participants into a better way of life through the work they do. Mentors are key drivers of Orion's training programs.

Richard Mika is the lead in the Chaku Cell at the Auburn facility. Chaku is actually a Japanese term that roughly translated means: all production is handled in one small area; starting with raw material and ending in a finished product. Richard's road to Chaku began two decades ago and saw him proceed through all manner of responsibilities at Orion. He's gone from being a temporary hire, to shipping and receiving, to conventional machining, and finally to being the Chaku lead, coming up on his 10th anniversary in the position. 

But first and foremost, Richard is a mentor. On any given day, Richard oversees and mentors up to three program participants and loves every minute of it. "The most satisfying part of the job is when you see the client go 'a-ha!'" Richard said. "They have this light in their eyes and it makes all the difference in the world. My day could be the most stressful one in a given week, but seeing that light bulb makes it totally worth it."

Although mentoring may come as second nature to Richard, he does recognize that there are challenges to the role. "It's about the balance between production and mentoring," he said. "We can't do the one without the other but I still consider my job to be half production and half mentoring." 

When it comes to dealing with the challenges of mentoring versus production Richard said that there's no need to go at it all alone. "Everyone at Orion is always willing to help , from the folks at T&E, to every other mentor on the shop floor, there's always help."

Staff at Orion interested in becoming a part of the mentorship program would do well to look to Richard, not only for his wisdom and experience, but because he knows what to value most of all. "If I could tell the staff one thing about mentoring it would be how gratifying and fulfilling it is to see that you are helping others. The kind of work we do can be done anywhere, but here we help others realize their full potential and there's nothing better than that."

Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Fun Run

Left to right: Joanna Boatwright, Liz Hickman, Tabby Allison, Elle Hickman, and Kristina Pressley. 
 
Orion staff, family, and friends participated in the Hot Chocolate Fun 15k/5k Fun Run at Seattle Center, on March 4th. The fun run benefitted Make-A-Wish. For more information visit their website:


Aerospace & Defense Supplier Summit Seattle

Liz Hickman (center behind two wearing red tops) at the Canadian Government Aerospace & Defense Summit Reception.

Liz Hickman, Orion staff member, attended the Canadian Government reception at the Aerospace & Defense Summit Seattle on Monday, March 26th.

The Aerospace & Defense Supplier Summit Seattle is a supply chain event that brings together aerospace and defense manufacturers and suppliers. Engineering, procurement, supply chain, fabrication, commodity teams, suppliers and service providers are provided with a great opportunity to meet and network.


Orion Links

 
Orion Industries, Auburn
1590 A Street NE
Auburn, WA 98002
Orion Industries, Mukilteo
13008 Beverly Park Rd
Mukilteo, WA 98275