International Paper (IP) is one of the world’s leading producers of fiber-based packaging and pulp and paper, with more than 50,000 employees and customers worldwide. One of International Paper’s manufacturing plants, Ticonderoga Mill, is located in the North Country and provides 600 good paying jobs for members of the Ticonderoga (Essex County) community. Ticonderoga Mill hourly employees are represented by the United Steelworkers Locals 5 and 497. WDI's North Country Regional Director, Greg Hart, has worked with this valued employer a number of times over the years on innovative training programs to improve employees’ skills, maintain plant safety, and drive production efficiencies. These projects have led to promotions, increased employee satisfaction, skill development, and job growth in the region. This past year WDI once again worked with the plant around implementation of equipment to ensure essential training could happen in accordance with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.
As an essential business, Ticonderoga Mill has continued its operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and even hired new workers. Newly hired employees typically receive training both in the classroom and in operating departments throughout the facility. Normally, classroom instruction takes place within Ticonderoga Mill’s onsite training facility. However, because the onsite training facility was too confined to accommodate social distancing, classroom instruction was moved to a larger space in the community during the entirety of the 4-week course. When conducting training in on-site operational areas, high noise levels makes communication while practicing social distancing very difficult. Since proper training is essential to maintaining the safety of employees, it is important that trainees and instructors are clearly heard and understood. WDI supported Ticonderoga Mill with the purchase of an interactive voice communication system to be used to accommodate social distancing during all training (new hire and ongoing) within high noise areas.
Recently, Ticonderoga Mill reported that 15 newly hired employees were successfully trained and on-boarded using the new interactive voice communication system. During these difficult economic times when many companies are laying staff off, we feel it’s important to support employers that have opportunities to add well-paying jobs with benefits and excellent training and promotion opportunities.
