Page 25 - CMA PROfiles Spring 2019

BUILDING THE FUTURE:
HIRING TALENT

Creating

A Path year, was allowed to do the program in that the company allow them to “sign

out” basic tools during the 12-week
the winter.
period, as some incoming interns may
During the 12-week program, the
interns were cross-trained in every not have the means to have the tools
available on the first day of work.
major area on the shop floor,
spending two weeks each in millwork, “This was a great suggestion and was
In January 2016, Concepts in Millwork, machining, countertops, casework/ implemented for incoming interns
a family-owned commercial millwork assembly and glue line. and incoming employees,” says Evans.
company in Colorado Springs, began “They also suggested giving them time
a partnership with the Peyton Woods At the end of their program, the to go out into the the field to see the
Manufacturing School, a subsidiary of company asked the interns what they day-to-day tasks of our delivery and
Peyton High School focused on trades, liked and didn’t like and what area install team, and this suggestion was
and the MiLL, the industry’s first national they would like to focus on in a career. implemented for the second year of the
training center for students who want to internship program.”
learn cabinetmaking, general construction Overall, the interns were satisfied with
and other trades. Founded by Dean the outcomes of the programs, and All four students were provided
Mattson, the MiLL was initially offered to they enjoyed being in the real world of job offers at the completion of the
nearby high schools to supplement their manufacturing. One intern suggested internship, with three working in the
offerings and provide real-world training.

The partnership came about after Rhynel
Evans joined Concepts in Millwork as HR
manager in April 2016. As she settled
into her new role, she realized that the
company would have to be creative in its
recruiting methods. Company president
Scott Robinson gave her free reign to
think creatively. When Evans suggested
an internship program to draw students
from the MiLL and Peyton Woods, he told
her to go for it.
Four students signed on for the inaugural
run of the new program – two had just
finished high school, and two were rising
seniors. Three of the students completed
the 12-week program in the summer,
as Concepts in Millwork had originally
planned, and the fourth intern, who was
graduating in the middle of the school

CABINET MAKERS ASSOCIATION 23