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Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Novelis Advanced Recycling Center Adds 140 Jobs

With the help of: Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership (KY-MEP)

About

Novelis’ facility in Guthrie, Kentucky, is a state-of-the-art aluminum recycling and finishing plant. The plant began operations in 2020 and now employs 300 people. The Guthrie facility provides aluminum sheet products to the automotive industry and contributes to the development of lighter, more sustainable vehicles.

The Challenge

To meet headcount demand for the facility, large numbers of new hires were expected in 2024. Novelis faced the challenge to effectively onboard new employees in a way that quickly instilled the company’s culture and work environment while also preparing them for their roles. The goal was to ensure new hires felt integrated and aligned with Novelis’ values of safety, sustainability, and continuous improvement including innovation.
KY-MEP has played a key role in supporting Novelis' goal of developing high-performing teams through empowering new employees in the onboarding processes and has become an integral part of every new hire group in 2024.
— Kyler Jolly, Training Coordinator

MEP's Role

The Kentucky MEP, part of the MEP National Network™, worked with the Novelis training coordinator, who was developing a holistic onboarding program aimed at improving retention, setting clear cultural expectations, and providing comprehensive training to enable new hires to quickly adapt and contribute. The MEP delivered courses like "Essentials to Manufacturing," "Developing Habits for Success," "Lean Culture," and "Communication and Conflict Resolution" to the New Hire curriculum.

The new hire feedback has been positive. The services opened the eyes of new hires who were new to manufacturing and helped set them up for success. New hires that had been in manufacturing before reported if they had learned about culture, communication and conflict resolution in their last workplace that would have made them successful. New hires felt informed and equipped when they hit the production floor.

Created February 11, 2025