Orion's November 2015 eNewsletter
 
 







Brent, Orion Manufacturing Program Graduate.
 
Brent      

Brent is a former program participant who participated in Orion's manufacturing training program before being placed at JWD Machine as a shipping/receiving clerk. Brent came to Orion lacking in confidence and struggled to identify a job goal. 

Brent had been working in fast food and was looking for a second chance due to some barriers as well as a limited career path. Brent said, "I came to Orion not knowing what to expect. I was nervous about whether I would be good at manufacturing or anything in general. During my training, I spent some time working in the shipping/receiving area within the HBU department and realized I really enjoyed this type of work."
 
Dustin Nicholson, a job developer at Orion Industries, started working with Brent, and quickly noticed Brent's lack of confidence. Dustin explained, "Brent was very hesitant about finding the right job because previous jobs were considered a failure, and he didn't trust his ability to be successful."

Brent quickly found his niche when working with Orion staff in the shipping/receiving area. Dustin said, "Staff worked closely with Brent to help teach him the hard skills needed to be successful, but also helped build the confidence Brent needed." 

Brent said, "I wanted to be successful so when Dustin helped me get a job at JWD, I was willing to do anything to be successful. I rode my bike to work every day. I didn't care if it was rain, snow, or sun; I made sure I was at work, on-time, every day."
 
Today, Brent continues to shine for JWD and will celebrate 3 years of employment this upcoming March. Brent is now a licensed driver and loves to work on his Jeep. Brent has a solid foundation and is building a future. His plans include getting married soon. 

Brent said, "I know I have the ability set goals and accomplish them. I worked very hard to get where I'm at now, and I know the staff at Orion were big supporters in my success."

Brent was asked if he had any advice for current program participants, and he responded by saying, "Be open to doing whatever and trusting your job developer and shop mentors. If you focus on one specific thing, you narrow your chances of being successful."

Brent said, "I never thought I would be working in shipping/receiving, let alone the aerospace field. I love my job, and to this day I'm still very grateful to have Orion in my life."   
 


 

 Dan at work on the Orion production floor.
 
Dan  has a rich work history as a truck driver and forklift operator, but  hasn't worked for a couple years. He came to Orion to receive training and to update his skills. Dan said, "When I came to Orion I was just hoping that Orion would work out for me. Orion has worked out well."

Dan has received training in CNC routers, CNC mills, CNC water jet, saws, and blanking press. Dan has had related experience on and off in the past, and welcomed the new challenges that the Orion training offered. Dan said, "Working in saws was a little out of my comfort zone, but I really like to interact with the machines."

Dan enjoys working with the punch press and CNC mills; he enjoys loading and unloading parts in the machines as well as deburring the parts as they come off the machine. Dan said, "I like to work and keep my hands busy. The hardest thing for me to do is just observe a machine running; I need to be working too."

Orion mentors and trainers show Dan the steps that each job takes, and with hands on experience Dan has not only learned each job, but has excelled.  Laura Fogle, Dan's Job Developer, said, "Dan is good at asking his leads questions, and will go to whoever is available. Dan has shown the ability to learn, and his skills and work ethic are solid. Now his biggest barrier is finding a good job match."

Dan was moved to second shift which was a huge vote of confidence in his abilities and work ethic. Dan prefers the hours, and he appreciates the increased responsibilities and opportunities that second shift offers.  Second shift has more cross-training opportunities, and each area is responsible for deburring their own parts. This has proved to be a good job match for Dan. 

Dan has done well in each area that he has been assigned to, and has built a good reputation. Dan's hard work was validated when he won the Orion Worker of the Month award for July, 2015.  Dan's work ethic earned him the nominations, and won him the award.  Dan was nominated for the award by eight Orion staff members and program participants, including his leads and peers, and other staff who don't work with Dan routinely.  Dan's nominating co-workers commented, "Dan is always at work and on time. He has a great work ethic, and is always willing to learn and ask questions. He has a great sense of humor and he always comes into work with a smile. He's a real asset and will make any employer very happy."

When Dan was asked what his keys to success at Orion are, he explained, "It's simple; be on time, work hard, stay busy, and learn what you can."

If you are interested in learning more about Dan, or would like to see his resume, call Laura Fogle at 253-661-7805 or email Laura at  laura.fogle@orionworks.org.


Orion partnering with United Way's Free Tax Campaign

 
 
This year,  Orion Industries is partnering with United Way's Free Tax Campaign to offer free tax preparation for low-income families in our community. Last year, the campaign helped over 19,900 community members file their taxes, bringing $27.2 million back to the community in tax refunds! 

United Way's Free Tax Campaign is looking for volunteers. As a volunteer with this program, you'll make a direct impact on a family's life by getting them all the refunds and credits they're eligible for, at absolutely no cost to them.
 
No experience necessary - we'll train you! Just sign up for a weekly shift at a location and time that works for you. There are sites all over King County near your home, work, or school, including one location here at Orion Industries! 

Learn how to get involved and register for a shift by following the link below:

Orion classes available!

Orion contracts with companies around the King and Pierce County area to provide classes, such as blueprint reading. Companies can send their staff to Orion for classes at our facility, or we can send our instructors on-site. If you're interested in finding out more about how this can benefit your staff, please contact Orion's Training Program Manager, Cynthia Kim, at 253-661-7805.

 


Program tours are available!

Orion currently has openings available in all of our training programs:
  • Our Manufacturing Training Program offers full time or part time paid training Monday - Friday. Participants can come for a variety of reasons including assessment or skills training. Enrollment occurs weekly.

If you are working with someone who would benefit from this training program, please have them attend our weekly tour - Tuesday at 1pm!

  • 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.
  • Our Contact Center Training Program offers three paid training opportunities: Inbound Customer Service, Front Desk / Reception and Document Conversion training. Participants can come for a variety of reasons including assessment or skills training. While some programs offer cohort enrollment, most positions enroll weekly. Pretesting may be a requirement and will be coordinated during program tour. 
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.


Orion Bright Futures Video

 Orion Job Developer Barb Panush (right) with a program participant. 
 
Orion's new Bright Futures video made its debut at the Aerospace Futures Alliance conference the week of October 9th. 

This video features all three of Orion's divisions, in our new Auburn facility: Orion Aerospace, Orion Contact Center Services, and Orion Training and Employment.   

If you would like to see the video please click the link below:

Reverse Trick or Treating 

 Orion T&E and Admin staff costumed and ready to pass out some candy. 
Members of the Training and Employment division were joined by members of the Admin team in reverse trick or treating. Costumed team members visited staff and program participants to pass out candy and treats.

AS9100 / ISO9001 Quality Management Certificates 

 Abigail Becker (left) and Joanna Boatwright (right) with their AS9100 / ISO9001 Quality Management System Lead Auditor certificates.
 
Abigail Becker and Joanna Boatwright completed a week long AS9100 / ISO9001 Quality Management System Lead Auditor course. 

Abigail has been actively working in her role as a Lead Auditor within Orion, maintaining the internal audit program along with developing supplier auditing processes. 

Joanna has been supporting Orion and Abigail as an Audit Team Member, working the internal audit schedule. 

Both are playing a key role in taking Orion's Quality Management System to the next level.


Barktoberfest 2015
  Liz Hickman (left) and Tabby Lewis (right) with their dogs and Tabby's children at the Barktoberfest fun run.
 
On October 10th, members of Orion's Wellness Committee participated in the Barktoberfest fun walk/run in support of the Auburn Valley Humane Society. 

Wellness Committee co-chair, Liz Hickman, is pictured with her sister, Tabby Lewis, and her two sons. 

The dogs pictured are Rio and Nevaeh.
 

Auburn Valley Humane Society Donation
  Joanna Boatwright (left) and Liz Hickman (right) delivering pet food to the Auburn Valley Humane Society.
 
Joanna Boatwright (left) and Liz Hickman (right), the co-chairs of the Orion Wellness Committee, organized a pet food drive and delivered the donated items to the Auburn Valley Humane Society.

If you would like to donate to the Auburn Valley Humane Society and help them to care for the dogs and cats please follow the link below.



Orion links
 
Click on the links below to visit Orion's division websites:     
Orion Industries
1590 A St Northeast
Auburn, Washington 98002