SHENANDOAH - Thirty Shenandoah Valley High School students learned about workplace skills and received advice during Friday's visit to Ateeco Inc. headquarters and plant.
"If there is one lesson you take from me, it is 'Don't limit yourself,' " Director of Operations Raymond M. Stasulli said in the conference room where the students began their visit to the headquarters and plant that makes Mrs. T's pierogies.
The students are part of the Your Employability Skills Northeast certificate program curriculum, which is promoted by the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Association and taught at the high school by business teacher Jason Gunoskey.
"I think this gives the students a nice taste of the real world," Gunoskey said.
"I spent 15 months in Poland working at a plant there. The funny thing is that at one point, I was on the 40th floor of the Warsaw Marriott around the time I was getting ready to come back to the U.S., and I thought, 'How did a boy from Coal Street (Shenandoah) end up here?' " Stasulli said. "So, please don't limit yourself to what might happen. The things that you feel proud about and good about doing will take you places that you never thought you would end up. And I met my wife when I was in Poland, so it was a bonus trip. We've been married 23 years."
Stasulli told the students he is proud to be working at Ateeco. He said the plant made more than 550 million pierogies last year, which if laid end to end, would go around the world and extend an additional 1,000 miles. He provided many statistics on how the plant produces so many pierogies: the employees. There are 230 employees, of which 175 are operations employees involved in production, maintenance, sanitation, quality control, research and development, warehousing, purchasing and procurement.
In collaboration with local school districts, employers, business organizations and government, the YES Northeast program is available in northeastern Pennsylvania. The program is designed to help youth acquire the fundamental skills that employers regard as important to a well-trained work force. It addresses key concerns of the employers, while preparing applicants for quality employment opportunities and a pathway to a secure future.
The students also heard from Sue Whalen of the Human Resources Department. The students were required to complete job applications, which were critiqued in general by Whalen, and tips on how to complete an application properly to be hired.
"Unfortunately, we didn't have programs like this when I graduated. It's a great way for you to realize what's out there," Whalen said. "School is not for everyone. Whether you want to join the workforce right out of high school or go to college, either way you're eventually going to get a job."
After Whalen's presentation, Christopher Dende, vice president of human resources, expressed his pride in her work and that she is a "great example for the students to hear."
Dende introduced the following employees who conducted the students on a tour of the plant: Gregg Gerko, Missy Lombardo and Kelly Moses. Stasulli also was part of the tour. The students were required to wear white paper smocks, hair nets and beard nets. The students were also required to remove jewelry and watches.
As the students prepared for the tour, Twardzik spoke of Ateeco's participation in the YES program.
"This is the third year we're doing the YES program and I'm thrilled that they came," Twardzik said. "I think it's very important to get the students into plants for tours. I told Mr. Gunoskey that I hope the class can see more facilities as the course continues. This way the kids get to see different companies, different cultures, different work environments, and it gives them a broader perspective of what's available in the county. We have international companies. I mentioned Honeywell to them, and Wegmans, which was voted one of the best places to work in the country. So don't discount the opportunities that are available in Schuylkill County, and getting out and about to see what those places are about is very important. There's a lot of ways to make a living in this area of the country."
After the tour, the students were treated to lunch in the employee center.