Northwest Aerospace News June | July Issue No. 3 | Page 39

Manufacturing, sales and customers Edson added,
Guy Edson, senior purchasing agent
at Hexcel, is a customer of Orion.
He said that they’ve purchased metal
details for aircraft and helicopters from
Orion for about 11 years. They work
with Orion because of the customer
service, quality and delivery, according
to Edson. “They just seem to honestly
enjoy helping people.”
As a customer Edson said that the
social mission of helping those with
barriers-to-work is one reason why
they work with Orion, but noted that,
“It can be difficult to find good sup-
pliers, so to find one that also is doing
great work in the community helps to
make you feel even better about doing
business with them.”
Orion has been able to accomplish suc-
cess in selling manufacturing services
– precision sheet metal fabrication,
CNC machining, mechanical and hy-
draulic assembly, metal finishing, cable
harness assembly, and laser marking –
while also providing a service to those
who may have had nowhere else to go.
Mentoring and community improvement
At the end of Orion’s training, trainees
earn an “Orion Training Certificate”
which demonstrates mastery in Boeing
supplier standards. After the training
term, McKenna said that if the coun-
selors feel they have gotten the soft
skills down and are consistent, the job
developers help them to find jobs.
“Once we feel good about them, the
counselors will help them find long-
term success in a job. A lot of people
who come through here haven’t been
in the workforce for a long time.”
McKenna noted that there are people
who don’t understand how to focus
on their job and get things done. “You
don’t sit on the phone all day when
you are supposed to being working,”
she added. But she then said that ev-
eryone has different job skills and they
try to help people find their talents.
Brosius said, “Our graduates don’t go
to work in fast food, or the grocery
store. They go to career-based jobs
where they have an opportunity for
growth. Anywhere with full time jobs
with benefits and career growth oppor-
tunities.”
After working with trainees for up to
a year, McKenna said it can be hard
to see them go, but said she is usually
happy to watch them succeed. She
added, “The company and mentors
at Orion are devoted to helping turn
lives around.” And besides, she said,
“Mentoring – it really makes you feel
good!”
1590 A Street NE,
Auburn, WA 98002
Phone: [phone]
http://www.orionworks.org
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