The automotive industry, a dynamic realm constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation, relies heavily on a skilled and adaptable workforce. In this rapidly evolving landscape, where electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and advanced manufacturing processes are the norm, integrating interns into the manufacturing ecosystem isn’t just a beneficial practice–it’s an absolute imperative. Interns bring fresh perspectives, apply cutting-edge academic knowledge to real-world challenges, and serve as a vital pipeline for future talent, ensuring the industry’s and Plasman’s continued drive forward.
This summer, Greer Manufacturing’s Program Engineering department was excited to welcome two interns, Evan Conroy and Alec Jaffe, to the team. They had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and contribute to real-world projects within automotive manufacturing.
“Young students bring new ideas, different ideas of doing things, and ways of approaching problems,” explained Luis Ayala, Director of Engineering, Plasman. “Our current staff benefits from these new ideas. By having one of our interns working remotely with our team in Canada, we improved on our file Bill-of-Materials.”
Mentoring interns encourages seasoned professionals to articulate their knowledge, reflect on their practices, and stay updated on emerging trends. This intergenerational exchange fosters a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing throughout the organization, benefiting everyone involved.
“Not only does having interns give our existing team members experience to mentor young engineers,” said Ayala, “It also helps us discover leadership skills within our current team.”
When asked how important these internships are and what benefits Greer Manufacturing sees in having an internship program, Michael Bimmermann, Project Engineer Manager, Plasman, Greer Manufacturing, added that, “a huge benefit is the opportunity of our personnel to interact and learn from young students. It gives them the opportunity not only to do more but also to mentor and add additional satisfaction into the day-to-day job.”
Both Conroy and Jaffe agree that for an industry as dynamic and interconnected as automotive, hands-on experience through an internship is extremely important.
“At Plasman I learned how the design engineering process works in the automotive industry,” said Jaffe. “I got to personally interact with dozens of people with different skillsets, each fine tuning the final product in their area of expertise. Getting to see how a customer part goes through the design process was very important for me in order to see what my future career in the automotive industry will look like.”
As the automotive industry navigates a transformative period, the role of interns becomes increasingly critical. “There is so much to learn in the automotive industry, so I feel having an internship in it is extremely important,” said Conroy. “The key to learning is asking questions from the team or the customer during visits and gaining answers. Tasks such as measuring parts, assembling mock-ups, or using fixtures all require instruction and practice to be precise. I believe that an internship is very important as you gain experience that the average person coming straight into the field will not know yet.”
They are not merely temporary workers; they are future leaders, innovators, and essential contributors to the ongoing success and evolution of automotive manufacturing. By investing in comprehensive and engaging internship programs, Plasman is not just developing individual talent, but also actively shaping our future mobility.
About Plasman
Plasman is a leading global manufacturer in bumpers-fascias, grilles, exterior trim, and subsystem components. As One Driving Force™, our diverse team of talented employees in 10 countries is driven by a commitment to outperform in all areas from engineering design to state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. Plasman’s headquarters are in Oldcastle, Ontario. Further information about Plasman is available at Plasman.com or follow us on LinkedIn.