Hands-On Learning in Grinding and Automation: New Employee’s First Six Months at Weldon Solutions

 

At Weldon, the people behind the CNC grinder builds and our industrial automation services are the key to our problem-solving, our new innovations, and our machine’s reliability. So, we wanted to share what it’s like for a new employee to join Weldon, the type of training involved, and navigating the work culture that makes us unique in the industry.

Clinton Hawkes joined Weldon as an electro/mechanical assembler who works on both the grinding and automation sides of the company. Now that he hit his six-month mark, we thought it would be interesting to talk to Clinton about his journey so far, his previous work experience, and what sparked his interest in the job.

Before Weldon

Clinton has had a passion for auto repair since he was a teen. A self-taught auto repair hobbyist, he followed his passion in high school through diesel truck maintenance courses at York County Technical School. Not interested in pursuing diesel truck repair as a career he got into construction. After a couple of years in construction he got the opportunity to support a friend who began an automotive repair business. Although he enjoyed this work Clinton was open to switching gears with his career after being there for five years.

Paul Garner, production manager at Weldon and the father of one of Clinton’s childhood friends, has been with the company for more than 20 years. Paul knew Clinton was mechanically inclined and shared with him that the electro/mechanical assembler position at Weldon was available and offered him an interview.

Clinton initially questioned his ability to fill the role and wondered if his experience would translate without any formal training. He was not familiar with CNC grinders and had not been exposed to industrial automation in his career or schooling, so he initially felt intimidated by the job. After taking a tour of the Weldon shop, talking to employees, and getting a better understanding of the position, he felt much more comfortable.

“The assembly part of the job is a lot like putting large Legos together. If you follow the schematic provided, everything should come into place. My previous experience helped set me up to learn this position quickly,” explained Clinton.

On-The-Job Training

The Weldon work culture is centered around asking questions and problem solving. Employees are encouraged to lean on each other if they need help or clarification on a project to ensure they are doing the job correctly and within the allotted amount of time.

At Weldon, we provide new team members with the opportunity to learn by shadowing others and getting hands-on experience. In Clinton’s first week, he built an electrical panel and assisted in building a grinder. He said the hands-on training helped get him up to speed quicker than if he had read a guide or watched a video.

The Weldon Experience

Before joining Weldon, Clinton didn’t have access to benefits at his previous jobs. As an employee at Weldon, he is enjoying his healthcare benefits and after his first year he will be eligible for the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) which allows employees to have an ownership interest in the company. Although Clinton had not heard of ESOPs prior to coming on board, he said it is an added incentive to stay and is a motivating factor to continue to grow in his position.

Looking Forward

We are proud of the employee culture we have at Weldon. One of our goals is to provide paths for growth and endless learning opportunities for every employee. Clinton is happy in his role and said he looks forward to continuing to grow his competency for both the grinder and automation services. On average (depending on experience) it takes about 4-5 years to become proficient as an electro/mechanical technician at Weldon, so Clinton is being patient while learning all he can.

Clinton’s future goals are to take the lead on projects and to be at the top of the list when service technician requests come up. Service technicians spend about 25 percent of their time traveling to maintenance jobs. Even though most of the service jobs are domestic, some service technicians have traveled as far as Europe for a call.

For anyone looking to explore new avenues in their career, Clinton advises not to be afraid to try new things. You never know what type of job experience may carry over into other industries – and formal education is not always needed if you are willing to learn.

Interested in learning more about working at Weldon Solutions? Please check out our current employment opportunities: https://www.weldonsolutions.com/about/employment/