Page 26 - CMA PROfiles Spring 2019

BUILDING THE FUTURE:
HIRING TALENT

casework section and the fourth working switch shifts. It’s
a machine on the glue line. worked out well
for everyone.”
CHALLENGES
Concepts in Millwork was pleased to have When there
100 percent placement after the first run have been
of the internship program, but two of the communication
four students have since moved on to differences
other situations. One went back to school between seasoned
full-time and another transitioned to members of the
another company in the industry. team and new
employees, the
Evans freely admits that it takes patience young people
and flexibility to solve the problem of tend to be vocal
attracting skilled young workers and and open about it
keeping them.
to management,
“I would say that the biggest challenge Evans says.
across the board regarding recruiting
is finding people who are skilled in the “All of us have
trade,” Evans says. “You can’t walk in off feelings, but they
the street and say you want to work here. take things to
You have to have the background. You heart,” Evans says.
can’t take someone who’s never operated “You have to be
a machine and put them to work in aware of that when speaking to them “All of us have feelings, but
production. Then you have to go one step about performance, etc. They want to they take things to heart.
further and find the people who have the excel, but at the same time, they don’t You have to be aware of
skill and want to do the hard work.” always understand the effort that is
required to do that.” that when speaking to them
Young people who are just coming out of about performance, etc.
high school or are early in their careers The company’s veteran employees
have a different approach to work. have been receptive to the generational They want to excel, but at the
Companies have to understand their differences, she says. “One person said, same time, they don’t always
motivations and expectations and figure ‘I'm going to try to approach it as if I understand the effort that is
out where they can be flexible in working was talking to my own child,’ and I
with those expectations. thought that was a great way to think required to do that.”
about it. We’re lucky to have a great
“We have had issues with attendance, for work environment. Everyone is open — Rhynel Evans,
instance, and you have to have a different and willing to receive feedback.” Concepts in Millwork
approach in communicating to resolve
those issues,” she says. “One employee Concepts in Millwork will be looking
was unable to get here at 6 a.m., which for three new interns for this coming
is when most of our shifts start. We do summer. Evans has advice for others who “Be persistent,” she says. “The whole
have a second shift that begins at 1:30 may be interested in starting internships, process requires patience, including being
p.m., and so we gave him the option to based on the company’s first experience. patient with potential interns.”

24 PROFILES SPRING 2019