Workplace Exploration: A Hands-On Experience
Dimensional Innovations – www.dimin.com -- is an award winning, multidisciplinary design/build firm located in Overland Park. DI has experience in various market segments including cinemas, casinos, sports facilities, retailers, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, entertainment venues, museums, libraries and government. In the Kansas City area, their best known creation is the 25 foot tall book bindings on the exterior of the Kansas City, Missouri Public Library parking garage.
Creativity abounds in all areas of the company and DI’s corporate leadership recognizes that it needs talented people with a variety of backgrounds and skills in creative design, engineering, welding and fabrication utilizing wood, metal and plastic. No one in the company understands this more than Jason Grove, Vice President of Operations. Jason realizes that not enough young people consider manufacturing as a viable career option. As a result, Jason has gotten involved in a variety of organizations, including industry groups and education entities, to help show that manufacturing offers great career opportunities.
Jason recently reached out to four Kansas high schools – Shawnee Mission North, Shawnee Mission South, Baldwin City and Bonner Springs – to provide students with a hands-on experience at DI. Jason and his staff designed a half day program that allowed 15 students and five teachers to interact directly with the company’s engineering and fabrication staff.
The engineering team demonstrated software programs, discussed their jobs and then answered questions as the students used the software. The fabrication staff demonstrated the computer numerical control (CNC) equipment that is used to cut out parts, discussed safety and helped the students operate the equipment. One of the key things the students learned was how the engineering staff interacts with the fabrication staff to produce a quality product in a cost effective manner. The staff also emphasized that having a successful career not only includes having the technical skills, but also the “soft skills” such as a good work ethic and the ability to work in a team environment.
A couple of students summed up the experience: It was great to take what you’ve learned in class and see how it works in the real world. You really see the importance of proper training when working in a fast-paced environment.
One of the teachers commented that he gained new insights that will help him better design his curriculum to make his class more relevant to students.
Jason encourages other companies to connect with local schools: “It was a very rewarding experience for us. We saw a very positive response from the students and instructors and it was great for our staff to get the interaction with everyone. The hands-on aspect seemed to be the most beneficial in showing how what is happening in the classroom translates into real work life experiences. The day surpassed our expectations and we are looking forward to holding this as an annual event.”