U.S. Secretary of Labor Sees American Manufacturing at Work in Alstoms Richmond, VA Facility
U.S. Secretary of Labor Sees American Manufacturing at Work in Alstoms Richmond, VA Facility
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American Ingenuity, Hard at Work
Thats exactly what U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis saw yesterday as she met with the men and women of Alstoms power generation service and upgrade facility located near Richmond, Virginia. During an hour-long tour of the 150,000 square foot facility, one of the largest of its kind in North America, the Secretary heard how upgrades performed at the site on turbines, generators and other equipment enable power plants to generate more electricity without consuming additional resources.
Every employee at our Willis Road shop was honored to have Secretary Solis showcase our facility as an example of strength in Americas manufacturing sector, said Steve Schottelkotte, Director of Alstoms Richmond factory. We take tremendous pride in the work that happens here, and the important role it plays in ensuring Americas power plants operate at peak performance and ready to meet the countrys changing energy needs.
Secretary Solis visit offered an opportunity to spotlight growth in the domestic manufacturing of clean and green energy-efficiency technologies. Several Alstom employees who use those technologies every day spent a few minutes during the tour talking about their work and how it impacts Americas energy future.
Jessica Stephenson, a machinist apprentice, explained how she uses state-of-the-art equipment to refine raw pieces of steel into precision-crafted blades for use on steam and gas turbines. As blade designs evolve over time, the ability to incorporate new blades into existing rotors is one of the key steps a power plant operator can take to boost the output of electricity. Jessica also discussed her participation inAlstoms apprenticeship program, which provides on the job training in addition to classroom instruction at John Tyler Community College, where she is pursuing a bachelors degree in Industrial Technology.
See Alstom Apprentices in a Video from the State of Virginia
Jerry Hawk, a welder and U.S. Army veteran who has worked for Alstom for over 30 years, emphasized the importance of apprenticeship programs in training the next generation of skilled manufacturing professionals.
The Secretary then heard from Doug Evans, another welder who has been with Alstom for over 15 years and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Evans shared how working for a global manufacturing company comes with unique opportunities to learn new skills, such as a month-long visit to Switzerland where he trained on vertical welding equipment used in the assembly of turbine rotors.
Reflecting on the visit, Alstoms Country President for the U.S. and Canada Pierre Gauthier added that, The work happening every day in Alstoms Richmond shop, and our other U.S. sites, exemplifies how talented American workers contribute to our long-term competitiveness. Progress towards a clear and consistent long-term national energy policy would create more of these high-quality jobs not just here, but at factories, warehouses and engineering facilities across the country.
Alstoms presence in Richmond dates back to the 1970s and the company currently employees approximately 500 people across three area locations. The Willis Road shop, which employees approximately 150 people, provides upgrade services for power plant generators, steam turbines and gas turbines manufactured by Alstom, and other suppliers. The blade manufacturing facility was opened in 2009 and represents an investment of more than $7 million.