School workshop to Team Leader: Hands-on work builds career at Stainless Design
“I always knew sitting behind a desk wasn’t for me! I wanted to do something practical,” says Stainless Design Team Leader (Foreman) and former Hillcrest High student Ryan Johns.
Ryan’s journey started at high school, where he excelled in metal and wood technology and a Wintec Trades Academy course sparked his passion. From there, Stainless Design – an award-winning business delivering top-notch laser cutting, CNC folding, and fabrication services – offered him a scholarship apprenticeship in Light Fabrication, and the rest is history.
“I left school in Year 12, and came straight to Stainless Design, 10 years later here I am leading the team!” Ryan loves the challenge of staying one step ahead, making quick decisions, and taking pride in producing high-quality work.
The FutureForce® Team needed to find out more…
Ryan Johns
Team Leader (Foreman)
Ryan’s advice for a future Foreman
“If you’re hands-on, detail-oriented, and love a challenge, this could be the perfect career path for you!”
A Chat with Ryan about his role as a team leader
Ryan Johns
Former Hillcrest High School Student
What does a Team Leader do at Stainless Design?
My role is to manage workflow within the workshop, keeping jobs running to schedule and meeting targets. I also do reviews of staff, fill in where needed and help in the workshop. This is from de-burring, collating parts, fabrication, polishing, bead blasting, and then dispatching. All of that is done onsite within our workshop and I oversee this process from start to finish and lead a team of 20-plus people.
How did you become a foreman?
I knew I didn’t want to be sitting down for my work and I wanted to do something practical. While in high school I did a Wintec course for one day a week over two terms and I finished top of the class. From there Stainless Design offered me a scholarship apprenticeship in Light Fabrication, where they covered the course costs at Wintec for the first year of my apprenticeship. While doing the course, I worked two days a week at Stainless and three days study a week at Wintec. I ended up leaving school end of year 12 to do this apprenticeship. It took three years to complete and here I am ten years later.
What do you love about being a Team Leader at Stainless Design?
I would have to say I love the people; everyone is easy to get along with and I have a great team. I also love the work environment. You are really looked after and supported which is great. I like being hands on and not sitting a desk all day. Moving to a leadership role it has become more office related, but there are still hands-on aspects.
What sort of person suits working in fabrication?
It is good to be practically minded and forward thinking; you are always thinking multiple steps ahead and aiming to produce quality work. This is where an eye for detail becomes important, you want to take pride in what you produce and put your best foot forward.
Being a Team Leader is a totally different ball game. You must be a confident, patient, quick thinker, able to make quick decisions, and have an ability to multi-task.
What have you learnt on the job?
Most of my hands-on skills I have learnt at Stainless. At school we were doing a different type of welding. Here I have learnt everything from working within strict design patterns, forming, folding, cut sizes, weld shrinkage, polishing skills.
As a Team Leader I have learnt communication, and how to engage with my team to keep them motivated and on task. I have learnt how to effectively plan out the day, writing in a diary, and creating schedules to ensure work runs smooth.
What challenges have you faced working at Stainless Design?
Most challenges come from on job stuff, when you are upskilling and making stuff outside of your capabilities this can be challenging. This is where asking questions and learning as you go to avoid mistakes is crucial. This for the most part does come with practice and time so stick at it.
When I was transitioning into the foreman position, they did well at slowly introducing me to the role. I got lots of practice at the tasks involved and so this made the transition smooth.
Where do you want to go in the future?
The next position for me would be moving up to a manager position within Stainless Design.
Ryan’s Career Advice
“Work hard while you are young so that you have choices later in life and are not so dependent on having to work.”
Ryan’s top tips
What advice would you have for someone new?
You truly can never ask too many questions, so ask as many questions as possible, this is how you learn. Always give everything 100% and come in to work every day with the right attitude.
What do you wish you knew before leaving school?
I didn’t know 100% what I wanted to do when leaving school. This role at Stainless Design sort of landed in my lap and I was lucky with that. I guess I would’ve liked to have known earlier, but you should take opportunities as they come and that’s how I ended up here.
What advice do you have for someone starting out?
Always apply yourself to the best of your ability, the impressions you make on those around you are huge. Carry yourself with pride within the workplace and show your dedication.
What is your advice for managing stress and keeping balanced?
You must make sure you give yourself time outside of work, get out there and do things you enjoy. Whether this is socialising with friends, going on adventures, or finding hobbies that you enjoy.
About Stainless Design
Stainless Design is an award-winning business delivering top-notch laser cutting, CNC folding, and fabrication services.
Based in the Waikato, Stainless Design is a market leader and innovator within the Sheet Metal Fabrication industry.
Learn more about Stainless Design
@stainlessdesign.co.nz
Read more about careers at Stainless Design
