SIDNEY – Key leaders of ABI-Showatech, Inc. IHI Inc. and Ross Casting and Innovations LLC. (RCI) recently met with students in the RCI Academy, a new addition to the Workforce Academy at Sidney High School, to learn more about the program from the students and answer questions from the students.
The mission of the new RCI Academy at Sidney High School is to “enrich the lives of young minds by helping to promote creativity, enhance critical thinking skills, and raise technical capabilities. In addition, provide an environment and tools to research career opportunities, many of which are within Sidney-Shelby County, and to become and integral part of a talented workforce that positively impacts the world where we work and live.”
Students welcomed the guests into the building and into their classroom, giving them a brief introduction to the RCI Academy program. The students shared their ideas for the future of the program and their personal goals for what they hope to accomplish in the program, as well as proposed additional technology to enhance the classroom and learning experiences.
“In RCI Academy, student will experience new and challenging educational experiences,” said SHS sophomore Thomas Atwood. “We will become better prepared for employment or college by learning the advanced skills needed in any career field. Some of the topics covered will include: blue print reading, safety, quality assurance, CAD, communication, team work, public speaking and other related topics.”
Senior Jac Beatty continued on to share the students’ vision for what the RCI Academy can be.
“From the eyes of us, the students, and our mentors, we have developed a vision of an expanded version of the RCI academy where students would be given more hands on experience in an RCI Academy II laboratory classroom,” Beatty shared.
“In this expansion of the current course, students would be given the opportunity to apply for paid internships through the various partnerships in the Workforce Partnership. These internships would allow the students a chance to earn some income while also gaining valuable on the job training and experience. We would like to call this part of the program the Workforce Apprenticeship Initiative,” said Beatty
Junior Tristan Heffner thanked the leaders for their support of the RCI Academy.
“I personally would like to say how thankful my class and I are for the time, effort, and resources spent on our classroom and program,” Heffner said.
She went on to share ideas the class developed which would further enrich their learning environment.
“A tensile testing machine would allow us to test materials and experience condition similar to those in manufacturing operations. We would also love to have a CMM to measure two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects that we will be working with.”
Heffner continued, “In learning to test materials, we would also love to have a microscope station where students can evaluate material composition and structure. Lastly we would like a couple of welding machines for students to learn a valuable skill that is highly sought after in today’s workforce.”
The students shared the goals and outcomes they are seeking from the RCI Academy. Students had translated some of the goals and outcomes into Japanese for the leaders of IHI Inc.
“Each of us has a slightly different reason for taking this class, but the overall theme is that we want hands-on, real world experience that will help us to enter college and/or go directly into the career field of our choosing.”
The group concluded by showing the business leaders the many accolades and media coverage the Workforce Academy classes, including the RCI Academy, have already received.
Other student presenters included: Zane Walker, Noah Fidler, Dylan Cook, Katey Harrod, Hannah Westerbeck, Taybor Phomdouangsy, Zach Slone and Chance Cheek.
Turning the tables, the visitors from RCI, ABI-Showatech Inc., and IHI Inc. addressed the students.
RCI Academy instructor Michael Ward introduced the visitors to the RCI Academy students and student representatives from the Workforce Skills and Careers Academy classes.
“On behalf of RCI, thank you for having us into your classroom,” said Chief Operations Officer of RCI Wayne Thompson. “We are extremely excited to have RCI Academy here at SHS.”
Thompson spoke to the transition of the former wood shop into the classroom it is today.
Thompson continued, “We’re here today because we want to show you, the students, the support of those who had the vision for the RCI Academy, and show RCI’s influence around the world.”
Thompson introduced Sam Ramesh, president of Ross Casting and Innovations LLC.
“America’s future is in this classroom,” said Ramesh. “We want you to know the art of manufacturing.
Ramesh spoke to creating a great ambition within students to pursue careers in manufacturing, noting the plentitude of industry in the Sidney and Shelby County area seeking a qualified workforce.
“One of our goals is to grow our workforce. Your success means a lot to us. The world is yours to conquer,” said Ramesh.
Keiya Mitsunaga, president of IHI Turbo Japan, shared a little information about IHI Turbo and its relationship to RCI.
R. Ramanujam, chairman of ABI-Showatech, Turbo Energy Limited and Brakes India Limited, addressed the importance of learning now and later.
“The common goal for all of us is to learn, as learning is important in life,” Ramanujam said. “A management change [at RCI] brought about a belief that involvement in our schools is necessary.”
Ramanujam continued, “Your class is the theory; everything learned in the factory is the application of the theory.”
When opened up to questions, one student asked Ramesh to share one piece of advice for the students. Ramesh said, “Stay focused. Focus on your career and stay loyal to one company for a long time.”
When asked what the biggest challenge facing the manufacturing industry is, Ramanujam said, “The automotive industry is always moving. The challenge lies in being consistent.”
He further explained that the process determines the product and the consistency in the process ensures a good product.
When asked how their companies attempt to distinguish themselves from the competition, Ramesh said, “You have to make your company visible and be invested in the community. You also have to make the best product – be proud and be innovative.”
Sidney High School Principal Jon Geuy expressed his gratitude for the support from RCI, ABA-Showatech and IHI Turbo of the RCI Academy and the Workforce Academy at Sidney High School.
“The goal of ours is to produce the kinds of employees your company needs,” said Geuy.
The relationship between RCI and ABI-Showatech started off with the formation of Joint Venture, LAP-Ross Engineering in 2005. In 2013, ABI acquired RCI, making RCI a one hundred percent subsidiary of ABI-Showatech.
RCI has been supplying quality aluminum castings to a wide range of customers, including IHI Turbo Japan, in the industrial and automotive markets for more than 75 years. RCI is currently a world leader in R&D and production of cold-side turbocharger wheels serving a global market.
Others representing ABI-Showatech were Srikanth Ramanujam, managing director, and S. Kesavan, director of operations & finance for Brakes India. Others representing IHI Turbo were Tomomi Mineta, director of engineering for IHI Turbo; Tsutomu Koike, general manager of Quality for IHI Turbo; and Shinjrou Hara, purchasing group for IHI Turbo. Others representing RCI were: Aditya Ramanujam, Mechanical Engineer and Candee Esser, Human Resources manager.
