“All my life I’ve struggled with employment,” Alex explained. “I did three months of manufacturing work through a staffing agency in Bellingham, so I knew I was interested in this type of work.”
After Alex’s family heard about Orion, they encouraged him to find out more. Alex scheduled a tour of the paid Manufacturing Training Program at Orion’s Mukilteo location. Once he discovered that he would have the opportunity to receive on-the-job training in several different areas he signed up for the program.
Through the training program participants have the opportunity to work in several production areas, which not only exposes them to different types of jobs, but also lets them interact with different supervision styles. While working one-on-one with a mentor, Alex has gained experience in CNC, Bonding, Wire/Cable Harness Assembly, Laser Marking, Quality Assurance, and Mechanical Assembly. Through each area Alex gained technical skills, while also enhancing his soft skills. As a result Alex greatly improved his job performance.
“Alex was concerned about his speed,” Lauren Campbell, Alex’s Job Developer, related. “He took the initiative to start timing his performance in Bonding, and established benchmarks that he improved on.”
Alex was concerned about his speed. He took the initiative to start timing his performance in Bonding, and established benchmarks that he improved on.
– Lauren Campbell / Orion Job Developer
Participants are often surprised by what they learn about themselves through the training program. “In the past I’ve undervalued my abilities,” Alex related. “I’ve learned that I’m a lot more capable than I thought I was. And Orion helped me learn the value of good attendance.”
Alex received a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Astronomy from Western Washington University. He is interested in robotics, and he wants to become an engineer. He enjoys the aerospace manufacturing work that he has been doing at Orion and hopes to find work in a related area that will help him move towards realizing his goal.
If you would like to learn more about Alex, or if you would like to see his resume, please contact Lauren Campbell at 425.355.1253 x293 or email her at lauren.campbell@orionworks.org.
