After seeing how a small-scale operation like Greenpoint worked, YAPsters were wide-eyed walking into the Boeing facility with tour director Marly Hartline and Director of Global Corporate Citizenship Gina Breukelman, especially as we walked the path of the mile-long factory to get to the Skills Processing Center seeing the massive 747s being built. We went on the tour because we wanted the students to see what it was like to work in a large factory, especially one that is highly organized and systemized (and loud), and students were able to see that. We also wanted students to know what it would be like to work for Boeing, especially the “orienting” process. Having the students work at the Skills Process Center and understand what it is like to get on-boarded as a Boeing employee was also quite helpful. Finally, understanding the size, scope, and multiple materials and steps needed to build a plane gave the students some perspective of the many hands, minds, and machines at work to create a massive project.
To prepare us for this, Marly brought our students to the Skills Processing Center where all new Boeing employees spend their first three weeks training. Students were given hands-on instruction in driving rivets and were able to practice for themselves. They were then taken through a fit test to see if they could handle working in very tight and small spaces like the wing of planes. Once done at the SPC, Marly took us on a full tour of the facility to show just how organized, clean, and automated the factory was. We ended the tour with a drive over to the Future of Flight where we had lunch and got to explore the gallery of interactive aerospace industry activities before returning home.
After we returned to Goodwill, we talked about this tour and the difference they saw in visiting other smaller shops so far. We mainly compared the level of organization and the size and noise levels of the environments, and students were able to articulate what kind of working environment would be best for their temperament. Some really enjoyed the massive, highly structured environment while some preferred the relaxed focus and attitude of the other smaller shops. We initially had a student who was certain he was not ready for this kind of work and was doubtful that he could do it at all. After doing the Skills Process Center training and touring the facility, he was ready to put in his application immediately. Another student thought she was ready for this kind of environment, but being there helped her to realize she needed a more calm, office/computer environment, and that is now pushing her toward technical design and engineering. However, she understood that she needs to know what this large factory process is like in order to inform her spec design work and how she lays out plans and articulates her instruction.
To prepare us for this, Marly brought our students to the Skills Processing Center where all new Boeing employees spend their first three weeks training. Students were given hands-on instruction in driving rivets and were able to practice for themselves. They were then taken through a fit test to see if they could handle working in very tight and small spaces like the wing of planes. Once done at the SPC, Marly took us on a full tour of the facility to show just how organized, clean, and automated the factory was. We ended the tour with a drive over to the Future of Flight where we had lunch and got to explore the gallery of interactive aerospace industry activities before returning home.
After we returned to Goodwill, we talked about this tour and the difference they saw in visiting other smaller shops so far. We mainly compared the level of organization and the size and noise levels of the environments, and students were able to articulate what kind of working environment would be best for their temperament. Some really enjoyed the massive, highly structured environment while some preferred the relaxed focus and attitude of the other smaller shops. We initially had a student who was certain he was not ready for this kind of work and was doubtful that he could do it at all. After doing the Skills Process Center training and touring the facility, he was ready to put in his application immediately. Another student thought she was ready for this kind of environment, but being there helped her to realize she needed a more calm, office/computer environment, and that is now pushing her toward technical design and engineering. However, she understood that she needs to know what this large factory process is like in order to inform her spec design work and how she lays out plans and articulates her instruction.