Training programs help local industry

 U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis) visited Guardian Industries in Corsicana Tuesday morning to mark the completion of a training grant for the employees and management to improve productivity and efficiency.

The training was done through a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, which provides one-third of the funding, with the other two-thirds coming from the industry.

In Guardian’s case, the company had requested training help from Navarro College for management. The college went to the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, based at University of Texas-Arlington to get the grant. The center’s mission is to increase global competitiveness of the Texas economy to give training and hands-on technical assistance, focusing on lean manufacturing and office principles. Navarro College provided the actual training and administered the grant.

The training provided included computer skills, leadership, mechanical skills, Spanish language, writing classes and programming training, according to Don Jock with Navarro College.

“This was a year-long process,” Jock said. “It was a massive undertaking, but they completed the process. They were pleased with it, we’re pleased with it. It was a win-win situation.”

The training allowed Guardian to eliminate waste and engage the employees better, according to Paul Warsing, human resources manager for Guardian.

“Anytime you engage the employees and help make things more efficient, that’s a good thing,” Warsing said.

Eliminating waste at Guardian included making the process more streamlined, saving steps for the workers on the line, and cutting back on wasted space. That freed up floor space in the one-million square-foot facility enough to add a new line. A new mirror manufacturing production line is expected to start this year, and will mean hiring at least 10 new people, according to Guardian managers.

Barton congratulated the employees and managers, thanked the participants of the training and grant administration, and presented Guardian Manager Kurt Christian with a plaque and a U.S. flag that had flown over the capitol building in Washington.