Rising through the ranks

Meet Dave, Training and Development Specialist

Dave first joined Chemring Countermeasures USA (CCM USA) in 2007, the summer before he started college. He held a variety of production roles, from assembly line onto assembly lead, and then machine operator and machine operator lead for the entire extruder complex. “I worked on nights while I was in school for about five years,” says Dave. “The company was very supportive in helping to facilitate my school schedule.”

After graduating, Dave was offered a role with Apple as a Business Analyst and later moved into a training role. “I did an intensive 90-day ‘Train the Trainer’ course at ‘Apple University’ – one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a professional. Then I spent three and a half years travelling around the US, training Apple employees and resellers. It began as product training, but became a complete overhaul of the company’s onboarding program. I then became involved in one-to-one training too.” 

Dave went on to become Apple’s regional trainer for the southern US, a role he thoroughly enjoyed. However, the constant travelling meant he seriously missed Tennessee and his family life. “I wanted to move back here, so I contacted Chemring, who were happy to take me back in a Production Analyst role. Fortunately, after just a year, a training position became available, so I jumped on it.”

How important has the Rising through the Ranks program been to you?

“Chemring was my first ‘real’ job after high school, and I was given a lot of opportunities. I told the company that I wanted to move up, I wanted to learn more, I wanted to be as valuable as I could, and I was given opportunities at every single turn. And in my role, I like to see that too. Not only people being given the opportunity to move up, but also progressing and developing themselves. So, when the company is willing to match every effort of an employee, that’s a great thing to me, and I take great pride in it.”

Dave can now impact the Rising through the Ranks program himself and is particularly keen to assist employees to reach their full potential. “For instance,” he says, “we have several employees who are utilising our tuition reimbursement program, myself included, to pursue degrees and specialised training.”

He also points out that Chemring always prefers to promote from within. “If someone has demonstrated that they’re a quality employee, a solid team member, willing to put in effort, and shown loyalty by staying with the company, we definitely want to ensure that pays off for them.

“Over 90% of our leadership team in production have risen through the ranks here. We can bring new people in and often we have to, particularly to get a special skill-set. However, because what we do here is so unique, there’s a steep learning curve. So, when we bring someone in for a leadership role, it’s generally going to take several months before they’re acquainted with our processes. Whereas someone who came in at an assembly line position and moved up doesn’t have those months of unproductivity … the culture, the processes, are all natural to them.” 

What advice would you give to new joiners?

“I handle the orientation program for new employees (with several others), and one of the things I tell them is that, as of this year, our company has been around for 100 years. Plus, we’ve been a major employer in our county for close to 50 of those years, so there’s plenty of work to be had. You really can go as high up as you want to! I give them a couple of examples, including myself. Having started out at the baseline entry level, with no knowledge and no skills as far as making flares goes, I came in and progressed my career to exactly where I want it to be. That comes from my desire and the work that I want to put in, but also from a company that has consistently given me opportunities.

“If you want to move up into a new position, excellent. If you want to get better at your current position, also excellent. If you want to become a leader in this company, it absolutely can be done. There are people who have started out in an assembly line position and, over the years, they’ve moved into higher level management, director, and vice-president roles.”

What is the most important thing to you in your career?

“I have always been ambitious, someone who constantly tries to evolve and develop. However, the most important thing for me, as far as career goes, is the balance I have with my personal life. As I said earlier, a big reason for leaving Apple was that I was constantly on the road, working 100-hour weeks, and often couldn’t see my wife for three or four weeks at a time. So, although I thoroughly enjoyed the job, it just wasn’t feasible anymore.

“Coming back to Chemring has given me back the work-life balance that I need. I thoroughly enjoy my job and relish coming to work every day, but I also have the time to enjoy my home life. There’s also time for personal development. I’m currently studying for a Master’s degree in Business.

“Work can be a challenge sometimes, but it genuinely never seems like a hassle. I’m very fortunate in that respect and Chemring has given me the time and flexibility I need to develop myself. My plan is to finish school and continue moving up on the same track!”