MANSFIELD — Machining skills, a strong work ethic and pleasant personalities have earned two Mansfield Senior High students full-time state-of-the-art manufacturing jobs four months before their graduation.
Sam Shank and Travis Mills have been hired by Ohio Valley Manufacturing of Mansfield, a leading supplier of first operation steel blanking, stampings, transfer and value-added parts to manufacturers of automobiles, heavy trucks, appliances and agricultural equipment. The company processes orders on presses ranging from 250 tons to 4,000 tons.
“This is a giant step for both Sam and Travis. It could be life-changing,” said Garth Falde, machine technology instructor in Senior High’s Career Tech program.
Shank is starting as a tool-and-die apprentice. Mills has begun work in robotic welding.
Jim Day, plant manager at Ohio Valley Manufacturing on Harrington Memorial Road, said both students are fulltime employees.
“They are working 8-hour shifts. We will do everything we can to work around their schedules until graduation,” he said.
Shank and Mills will continue core academic classes at Senior High in the morning, then be free to leave by mid day for Ohio Valley Manufacturing, where they will apply the skills they have acquired in the Career Tech program and during previous work at Broshco Fabricated Products on Longview Avenue.
“I am impressed by all that Ohio Valley does, including making parts for Ford and rims for semi truck wheels,” Mills said. “Everyone there is always willing to help me. I’m not afraid to ask questions.”
That’s consistent with Ohio Valley Manufacturing’s web site, which notes, “Our staff is comprised of people who possess the highest levels of industry expertise and who work hard to nurture the passing of that invaluable expertise to our younger employees. It is that experience and management philosophy that has helped establish our reputation as one of the top Tier 2 suppliers in the country.”
Mills is eager to one day expand his skills from robotic welding into other areas of heavy machining at the plant.
Shank said he will be able to pursue his dreams at Ohio Valley.
“Whenever I have free periods I’m always down here (in the machine trades class area) working. Ohio Valley will allow me the opportunity to operate the latest tool-and-die technology,” Shank said.
Machining is a passion for Shank who assembled and programmed robots in an engineering class earlier in his Senior High career.
“I’ve always liked taking stuff apart and putting it back together,” he said.
Day traced the chain of events that led to hiring Shank and Mills.
“We attended a Career Tech dinner at Senior High before the holidays where we had a grand time in culinary arts. Later my wife, who is a substitute teacher, said she wanted me to meet this young man, Sam Shank,” he said.
“I visited the machine trades area and met with Garth. Then I talked with Sam about his tool-and-die work,” Day said. “While I was there I also met Travis who, like Sam, made an immediate impression on me.”
Day explained that he had only the tool-and-die apprenticeship to offer. But after talking with Mills he offered him the robotic welding position.
“Both of these young men have machining skills but that alone didn’t win them these jobs,” Day said. “Both have a strong work ethic. They want to work and do a great job. And they have wonderful personalities.”
Day mentioned that one recent day when Mills called to say that he could not come in because his grandfather had been admitted to the hospital.
“The first thing he asked was if he could make up his hours. That’s the kind of attitude we appreciate,” Day said.
Falde hopes the success of Mills and Shank will spur younger students with machining aptitudes to take a serious look at the Career Tech program.
“The skills we teach here can lead directly to secure jobs in manufacturing,” he said.
Day agrees.
“It is difficult to find skilled trades workers in this area,” he said. “We’re a small company, so it’s not like we’re going to come out and hire 20 students. But the next time we have an appropriate opening I will talk to Garth.”
Larry Gibbs is spokesman for Mansfield City Schools.
