On Thursday 15th December nine Career Ready students and two staff went to McCloskey International at Coalisland, for a factory visit and master class on interview skills. The students went in two groups around the factory seeing up close as huge crushing, screening and washing machines and conveyors were fabricated.
They saw how precision from design though to manufacture and assembly dictates the end product success. High tech equipment is utilised to analyse manufactured sub-assembly components to ensure the strict tolerances are maintained –thus ensuring a world renowned product is repeatability produced. Jarlath from McCloskey explained how his knowledge of AutoCAD and Solidworks was invaluable in using the software to control the robotic measuring arm.
McCloskey use Kanban lean process and the group saw how this operates as they moved around the workshop areas. It was amazing to walk through the production facility and see the manufacturing process at various stages.
When both groups returned to the offices they walked through the various departments including design, health and safety, and warrant department.
Moyra Rafferty from HR delivered a presentation on how to prepare for an interview, explaining what the company will be looking for so the students could gain an understanding of the process from the employer’s perspective.