Helen and Kim give a whole new image to engineering

Jan 23 2008 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ONE of Huddersfield’s landmark firms is on the lookout for more women and ethnic minority groups to work on the engineering shopfloor.

Cummins Turbo Technologies has factories worldwide and is anxious for its workforce to reflect the communities where it is based as much as it can.

Just 4% of shopfloor workers in Huddersfield are women – with a similar number from the ethnic minorities – and bosses are eager to have more.

The company has a 1,000-strong workforce in the town.

There will be open evenings on three nights in the first week of February to give people the chance to come into the sprawling site on St Andrew’s Road at Turnbridge, near the town centre, and see what goes on there.

Two women who work on the shopfloor, Helen Makin and Kim Woodhead, love their jobs as flexible manufacturing workers, making turbochargers which can boost the power of an engine by up to 30%

And both say the myth that working on the shopfloor is a mucky environment involving heavy equipment could not be further from the truth.

They work as part of a team building mid-size turbochargers in a clean, warm building.

Cummins tries to offer flexible working across the three shift systems which means the company works round the clock.

And, if more lone parents join them, they will look at the possibility of introducing job-share schemes.

At the moment the three shifts are from 7.30am to 3pm, 3pm to 10.15pm and from 10.15pm to 7.30am. But some people work permanent nights, which means others can stay on day shifts.

When Helen applied for work there seven years ago there were a staggering 700 applicants for just 20 jobs.

Helen and Kim can build a turbo from scratch – and strip one down.

They work as part of a team that build up to 200 turbochargers per shift.

Cummins make a range of turbochargers for vehicles ranging from small lorries up to buses, cranes and even ships.

Kim, 33, of Skelmanthorpe, has two children, Taylor, aged eight, and one-year-old Martha.

She has worked at Cummins for 13 years, joining the company after a spell packing bacon.

“Someone told me an engineering company would never take on a woman on the shopfloor,’’ she said. “So I wanted to prove him wrong.’’

Helen, 42, of Birkby, has five brothers and her love of manufacturing came at an early age. Every Saturday she would go down to the old Kaye’s department store to buy Airfix models of planes.

“I’ve always wanted a hands-on job,’’ she said. “The perception outside the job is that it’s dirty and is a dying trade. But it’s not.

“People are constantly surprised how clean it is and Cummins operates around the clock. It’s exceptionally busy and has been all the time I’ve been here. We can’t make enough turbochargers.’’

She added: “I love the banter and the camaraderie. We get on really well with the guys and they treat us exactly the same.’’

Helen was an assembly supervisor at Brook Motors for 17 years and has been in engineering since leaving school. Both she and Kim say working at Cummins has given their practical skills a boost.

“We’re both good at building flatpack furniture,’’ said Helen. “In fact we find it easy; perhaps it’s because as women we read the instructions first!’’

There are now seven women working on the shopfloor at Cummins, including one apprentice.

The Huddersfield headquarters for the company has a Women At Work group, set up last year. The group aims to provide a forum to support, inspire, motivate and empower women to realise their full potential.

Helen O’Regan, the firm’s information technology functional excellence leader, who is on the group’s organising committee, said: “It means the women can get to know more people who work here and the range of skills they have.

“We meet monthly, run sessions on self-development and hear from guest speakers. We discuss, in depth, issues ranging from the home and work-life balance through to career development and further education.’’

The company is keen to hear from men and women wanting to pursue an engineering career with them.

Plant manager Ray Dawson said: “The engineers look at design, testing and liaise with customers.

“Engines change all the time and a range of turbochargers are needed for each one.

“If people show an ability and willingness at Cummins they will be given every opportunity.

“The company will invest in people’s development.’’

The open evenings will be on February 5, 6 and 7 from 7.30pm.

People wanting to go must phone up first and they will then be sent a formal invitation.

After a short introduction, people will have a chance to have a guided tour of the company, learning about apprenticeships and the range of jobs there.

Call the company on 01484 422244.

More information about jobs at Cummins can be found at www.eujobs.cummins.com