DATE: January 2006

TO: Friends of Ramsay Corporation

FROM: Tom Ramsay
 

NEW PRODUCTS:

  • Ramsay Corporation’s Drafter, CAD Operator has been selected as a finalist in PLANT ENGINEERING’S Product-of-the-Year Awards competition. The magazine’s chief editor Bob Vavra tells us, “PLANT ENGINEERING’S readers choose the winners in our annual Product-of-the-Year award program. For 17 years, manufacturers have been anxious to be nominated and proud to win. Our readers know best when it comes to the products that make their work easier, better and more productive.”
     

  • In response to many requests by maintenance managers, we have developed a new test to measure knowledge of Programmable Logic Controllers. This 50-item PLC Test covers the areas of Ladder Logic; I/O Devices; Programs/Software; Systems; and Troubleshooting. We are eager to receive data on persons tested for hiring or development on this recently constructed assessment.
     

  • Our popular Mechanical Aptitude Test is now available in Spanish. We also have an alternate version of this test in English, and are gathering data on these new assessments. Please let us know if you’d like a sample copy of either of these tests.
     

  • Looking for easier access and immediate scoring or reports? Our aptitude tests for mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical jobs are now available online. Click here to find out more details: Ramsay Corporation Online Testing

PARTNERSHIPS:

  • Enrique Cancino, Corporate Training and Development Manager, Chemical Lime Company writes: “We are rolling out our new hourly employee selection process to all of our major facilities throughout the U.S. We have a good shot at finishing installation by year’s end and we want to thank the Ramsay Corporation for being such a good partner with us on this incredibly important project. We are upgrading the quality of our people and we couldn’t have done it without you. We are looking forward to a long and most productive partnership.”
     

  • In cooperation with Gary Stewart, Director – Performance Improvement & Training, General Physics Corporation, we continued a project leading to certification of Sort Systems Maintenance employees at FedEx Express in Memphis, TN. Randy Stacks, Manager, Sort Systems, led a process which developed training and assessment materials in Rigging & Pneumatics; Shop Machine Tools & Equipment; Electronic Circuits/Analog & Digital; Programmable Logic Controllers; Networks; Test Instruments & Safety Equipment; Plumbing & Welding; Welding, Heat, Burn & Layout; Power Transmission; Print Reading; and Computers. These were applied to General Technicians.

TECHNICAL TESTS:

  • Jimmy Maness, Maintenance Manager, Kellogg Frozen Foods in Rossville, TN employed our services in updating and revising tests for C, B, & A General Mechanic, A Electrical Mechanic, and A Refrigeration Mechanic. He also requested validation of the tests for Maintenance Apprentice.
     

  • At Alcoa Corporate Center, Karis Dorfman, Manager, Staffing and Hourly Compensation Systems, asked us to conduct a validation study for plant locations in Massena, NY and Lafayette, IN for Facilities Maintenance Mechanic.
     

  • We developed new tests for Mechanic A, Electrician A, and Mobile Equipment Mechanic A for Wayne Jones, Human Resources Manager at IMERYS in Sylacauga, AL. Dr. Robert Lofgren developed paper-and-pencil tests with alternate equivalent forms. He worked with a local community college to identify courses which matched training needs for this pay-for-skills project.
     

  • Michael Reidy, Training Supervisor at Union Tank Car in Chicago, IL requested a content validation study of an Electrician Test for pre-employment selection.
     

  • Pfizer Global Manufacturing’s Manager, Learning and Development, Kevin Earnest, hired us to review and update the tests for Systems Technician and Mechanical Technician. Approximately one-third of the test questions were edited or replaced on both tests to reflect current technology.
     

  • Michael Jeide, Technical Training and Security Specialist at California Steel Industries in Fontana, CA used our services in updating tests for Maintenance Mechanic and Electrical and Electronics Technician.
     

  • At Eastman Chemical Company in West Elizabeth, PA, Gary Helman contacted us to conduct a content validation study of a test to select Utility Mechanics.
     

  • Donna Rae Rucker, Training General Supervisor at Alcoa, Inc. in Bettendorf, IA engaged us to validate tests for Mechanical and Electrical Trainees. These tests enabled selection of persons with less than journey-level skills to be selected for further training.

PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS TESTS

  • Michalle Reed, Human Resources Manager, Kellogg’s Snacks in Augusta, GA engaged us to develop a pre-employment test battery for the Production Job Family.
     

  • At Mittal Steel USA in Cleveland, OH, we developed an assessment for Senior Operating Technician Team Coordinator at the request of William Bush, Coordinator, Human Resources.
     

  • A validation study initiated some years ago at Kellogg Company, Rossville, TN was updated for Jeffrey Wargo, Human Resources Manager for Production Operator.
     

  • We developed a pre-employment battery for Teara Strickland at Kellogg Frozen Foods – Eggo in Atlanta, GA. The tests for Production Job Family include Reading, Arithmetic, Inspection & Measurement and Process Monitoring & Problem Solving.