MOUNT VERNON – Seniors from the Precision Machining program at Knox County Career Center (KCCC) visited Worthington Industries in Columbus on Oct. 7, Manufacturing Day, which was celebrated across the nation.
Seniors in Precision Machining, led by instructor Joe LaFevre, had the opportunity to tour Columbus Steel (under Worthington Industries umbrella), along with the Worthington Industries Cylinder Division and Machine Shop.
Precision Machining seniors had the opportunity to see aspects of Tool and Die and got a close up look at heat treat furnaces in action at Columbus Steel. In the Worthington Industries Cylinder Division, seniors got to see a product go from start to finish and got to view tool and dyes running in action.
Lafevre said, “In the Worthington Industries Machine Shop, seniors had the opportunity to see many different set ups and parts. It was a great representation of a job shop atmosphere.
“It’s an honor to have our students a part of such a wonderful representation of manufacturing. Seeing parts from start to finish is a huge perk for young minds to see what manufacturing is all about,” said LaFevre.
Amber Studlien, Worthington Industries human resources representative, spoke with students about the history of Worthington Industries, various job opportunities, the culture they live by, and the benefits of working there.
Mason Lanthorn, a senior in Precision Machining, said, “It was a very informative field trip to Worthington Industries. We learned what they do and how they do it, and they answered all of our questions in depth.”
Lanthorn added, “We enjoyed talking to the machinists. They were very friendly and provided us with valuable information.”
Max Payne, a senior in Precision Machining, echoed Lanthorn’s comments.
“We enjoyed talking to the machinists and getting to see all of the projects they were working on. It was cool seeing all of the different kinds of machines,” said Payne.
Payne added, “It was neat to see how well Worthington Industries treated their people. The workers were happy to be there. Some drove a distance to work there, and the culture of the workplace was really important to them.
“You could tell people in the shop had good relationships with each other. A lot of people were driving a distance just to work there. For such a big company, Worthington Industries had a tight-knit group of people and it was an attractive place to want to work at,” Payne said.
