Back-to-Back Talent Tours for Grayling High Students
On October 20, 2016, twenty students from Grayling High participated in a Talent Tour at Air Way Automation, followed by a Talent Tour at Monarch Millwork.
At Air Way Automation, students were exposed to programmable machines used to cut steel for making high-quality parts feeding and assembly equipment. Plant Manager, Gary Sheldon lead the tour, emphasizing the opportunities for students, both male and female, to be hired in at an entry level position and advance to higher positions through experience and training that the company pays for. The students asked questions and showed great interest in touring the facility and seeing the machines in operation. Sheldon also explained how Air Way stays competitive by attending expos and information sessions regularly to stay on top of the latest in manufacturing operations.
After the Air Way tour, the students walked across the street to Monarch Millwork where they learned different aspects about lumber milling from Plant Manager, John Cottenham. Students learned about lumber cutting, drying, and glueing, and how the excess scrap material is used to make wood pellets for wood burning stoves. They also learned about entry level positions that would teach them the lumber manufacturing business and skills they could transfer to other manufacturing sites. Students were enthusiastic about the tour and asked good questions.
Student feedback from both tours was very positive and many students asked about touring other plants in the area.
