At Orion we believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to work. We offer training programs that help individuals gain the technical and soft skills that they need to be employed in a competitive job market. Each participant in our paid training program works with a mentor while they are learning how to do a job. During the course of our training program participants will work in several areas, gaining valuable work experience in each.
Josh Larsen works as Orion’s Clamp Block Lead, serves as the instructor for Orion’s Blueprint and Shop Math classes, and is a mentor in Auburn’s Manufacturing Training Program. His outstanding efforts, not only as a mentor, but in all areas, earned him Orion’s Auburn 2019 Staff Member of the Year award.
The Clamp Block area is often used as a first stop in Orion’s Manufacturing Training Program, which allows participants to not only learn, but also contribute, starting on their first day.
While a participant is working in the Clamp Block area they will learn how to build several parts, all of varying complexity, while they are also being taught the value of soft skills, such as communication, time management, and attitude. Participants learn not only the technical skills needed for each job, but also how to be a good employee.
“My role as a mentor is to give immediate feedback to program participants, working to redirect them towards a desired result. But an equally important part of what a mentor does is to document and relay information back to the Training and Employment staff.
– Josh Larsen / Orion Mentor
“My role as a mentor is to give immediate feedback to program participants, working to redirect them towards a desired result,” Josh related. “But an equally important part of what a mentor does is to document and relay information back to the Training and Employment staff.”
The Training and Employment staff includes vocational counselors, instructors, and job developers, who work with each participant individually to support them in overcoming or managing anything that might be a barrier to employment. Once training is complete Orion’s job developers then assist participants in obtaining community employment.
Orion’s mentors see the difference they make in people’s lives every day.
“Being a mentor, responsible for training and teaching an individual, and providing feedback, can be intimidating, even a little scary at first,” Josh explained. “But the reward is astronomical. Orion has an amazing program with amazing people. It’s a job I truly enjoy.”
