STC Students Observe Work Ethics and Welding at ThermoKing

Louisville –Forty-one Sandersville Technical College Dual Enrollment welding students had the opportunity to see what they have learned in class in action at Thermo-King, Inc. These students toured the 44 year old Ingersol-Rand owned plant and talked with employees about their careers there.

Thermo-King sheet metal worker Tom Moye (left)
is showing the students a header plate for a refrigeration coil.

Thermo-King produces air refrigeration units for municipal and school buses and also makes compressors for other units in the Thermo-King production line.

Mary Margaret Clark, Human Resources Supervisor, gave the students a brief history of Thermo-King Company and also gave a background on Ingersol-Rand, the parent company of Thermo-King. She also spoke about work ethics and how important it is to be on time to work, have a good attitude, and the importance of people skills in the workplace.

"A good work ethic is the key to being successful on the job," said Mary Margaret Clark. "Showing up for work on time, wearing the appropriate clothes for the job, and getting along with others is what we look for in an employee," says Clark.

"The right technical skills are very important, but we expect our employees to work 100% everyday and have a good attitude while doing it. It makes me feel good that Sandersville Technical College is teaching these important life skills to their students so when they do graduate they have an idea of what is expected of them in the workforce.”

Other Thermo-King employees like Frankie Sheppard, Jimmy Ivey, and Bobby Butts gave the students some good information on how important it is that they stay in school, obtain their certificate through Sandersville Technical College, and also work hard at everything they do whether it is work, school, or an extracurricular activity.

"This is really neat to see how all of that work we do at STC really is used in the real work place, "says Cody Tedder, an STC dual enrollment welding student from JCHS.

STC’s new Welding Instructor Jeff Partridge, who worked for Thermo-King for 13 years in welding and quality control, was able to remind the students how important it is to be a good employee. "I stress to the students every day that a good work ethic will help you grow as a good employee and is critical to become successful at all levels of the Thermo-King production team", says Partridge.

Many thanks to the individuals at Thermo-King who play such a vital role in creating a real-world awareness for the students at Sandersville Technical College and JCHS. Industry tours like these help students connect the dots between what they hear in class, read in books, practice every day and what will truly be expected of them to earn a living once they graduate.

March 4, 2008