WIB Member Profile: Becky Quinn
HR Manager and Corporate Communications Liaison
Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc.
With more than 90 employees, Santee-based Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc. (QCMI) specializes in the precision machining of all metals, including exotic alloys. It manufactures components for the aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, marine and heavy equipment industries, as well as the Department of Defense, and is also an approved FAA repair station. QCMI was named the San Diego Society for Human Resource Management (SD SHRM) Workplace Excellence Awards’ Marble Winner, a Family-Owned Business Award winner by the San Diego Business Journal, and is one the region’s healthiest companies as recognized by the San Diego Business Journal, UnitedHealthcare and the San Diego Chargers.
Becky Quinn is the HR Manager and Corporate Communications Liaison for QCMI. She is a member of the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Workforce Investment Board.
SDWP: What motivated you to join the WIB?
Quinn: As the HR Manager for a San Diego manufacturer, I see it as my responsibility to get involved in community programs that benefit our youth, adult job seekers and veterans with quality job training. My position on the WIB provides me with the opportunity to maintain partnerships with businesses and government to not only address the workforce issues of QCMI, but also of our region. As a WIB member, it’s my goal to help provide direction on ways to increase and improve job training opportunities.
SDWP: What issue are you most passionate about as it relates to workforce development?
Quinn: I am passionate about training. Finding skilled individuals in today’s world has become harder and harder as vocational programs have been dropped from high school curriculums. There is a dire shortage of machinists and trade craftsmen in our country. Manufacturing jobs are returning to the United States from off-shore, and companies like QCMI will only thrive and grow if we can hire highly-trained skilled individuals. Young men and women, veterans and adults who may have lost their job during the recent recession have a great opportunity to establish a well paying career in San Diego if they get both theory and “hands-on” machinist training.
SDWP: Share a brief story about a person, event or project that you were involved with that underscores your passion for this issue.
Quinn: As a 16-year member of the national and San Diego chapters of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and member of the San Diego’s Recruiter’s Roundtable, I have been involved in a number of workforce initiatives. My position at QCMI and role with WIB have afforded me a special opportunity to champion my passion for training with the onsite QCMI machinist Academy starting this May 2014. The Academy is a direct result of the development of the 501(c)(3) Grande Foundation. An initial pilot program using our employees begins this April.
QCMI has partnered with the East County Career Center (ECCC)—a partner of the SDWP and operated by the Grossmont Union High School District—to assist in finding qualified individuals for the Academy. Individuals will undergo an intensive five-month curriculum for the job-ready machinist’s training. The courses include shop theory, as well as hands-on training on conventional and state-of-the-art CNC machines. Students learn lean manufacturing principles and will earn their Six Sigma Green Belt by graduation.
The ECCC is a career center created in San Diego County to provide a one-stop shop environment for career planning and job search assistance. They are recommending qualified youth, adult job seekers and veterans for the Academy. QCMI and the ECCC will assist the graduates of the Academy in job placement.
The Academy is a great example of how vocational education and training in the machining industry lead to life-long careers. More than 40 percent of the employees at QCMI have been with the company for more than 14 years.
For more information about the Academy contact Becky at Bquinn@qcmfginc.com. And for more information about QCMI, visit http://qualitycontrolledmanufacturinginc.com.