Employee Programs

Lean Continuous Improvement is a two staged approach which drives continual improvement in organizations and strives towards greater than 99% efficiency. Lean refers to maximizing customer value and minimizing the areas of waste in processes; creating enhanced customer satisfaction and less wasted resources.

The Company is committed to the personal and professional growth of each employee and will provide the tools necessary to enhance productivity and service. Employees are expected to use these tools fully and are encouraged to seek educational programs to enhance their performance on the job.

The Company will reimburse full-time employees for educational courses taken in direct support of current or planned job required skills. The Company will reimburse eligible employees 80% of the tuition and lab fees upon successful completion of each course

AGR’s student loan repayment assistance program offers eligible employees up to $15,000 over five years to help accelerate student loan payoff.

This program is offered to full-time employees in good standing who have taken out student loans for themselves or for their children and who have been with the Company at least 60 continuous days. Each eligible employee will receive up to $250 a month to put toward their student loan(s). Employees who have taken out student loans for their children are eligible to receive up to $250 a month toward each student’s/child’s loan.

Periodically, it is necessary for individual employees or groups of employees to take job-related training courses that are not part of a degree program. This can enhance an employee’s value to the company, keep them up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies and knowledge, and offer a great chance to interact with peers.

Training and development goals and specific courses are identified in conjunction with the employee’s manager, as part of an employee’s development plan, and can include a variety of courses from an array of sources. The organization reimburses for related expenses.

For our newer employees, the benefits of having a trusted trainer can be innumerable. Particularly at the outset of a career, learning the ropes from someone who’s been here, done that, is extremely valuable for success and advancement. Our veteran employees can teach about the responsibilities specific to a job role or the state of our entire industry.  They also teach about the ins-and-outs of our company’s organizational chart, policies, practices and business methodologies.

Our apprenticeship programs are occupational training programs that combine on-the-job work experience with technical or classroom study. Our programs are designed to develop useful job skills in individuals entering the work force. Our programs, which are designed to address the need for better trained entry-level workers and help young people make the transition from school to the work world, can also serve as a good source of labor for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Work Based Learning Program

The Arthur G. Russell Company proudly partners with Bristol Technical Education Center and welcomes students to our Work Based Learning Program.  This program provides time for classroom learning and paid on the job training towards a trade.  AGR has several full-time employees that have gone through the program and are now enrolled in the Connecticut Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program, working towards a Journeyperson license as a Toolmaker or an Electrician.

Our internship programs are offered by AGR to potential employees.  Internships are most popular with undergraduates or graduate students who work between one to four months and have a goal to gain practical work or research related experience.

The advantages of the AGR internship program are:

• Find future employees
• Increase employee retention rates among employees that are hired via an internship program
• Enhanced perspective – New people bring novel perspectives, fresh ideas, and specialized strengths and skill sets
• Give back to the community – Hiring interns not only helps students in our community get started, it enhances our local workforce as a whole
• Supports Students – Internships provide students numerous perks:
  •                 Gain experience
  •                 Develop skills
  •                 Make connections
  •                 Strengthen resumes
  •                 Learn about a field
  •                 Assess interest and abilities

AGR hosts and mentors Operation P.E.A.C.C.E. Robotics team which is comprised of high school students from Bristol and the surrounding communities. Each team receives a kit of various automation components along with limited instructions at the competition kick-off in January. Working with AGR mentors, students have six weeks to design, build, and program their robot to meet the yearly challenge. The mentors are given extra PTO for their participation.

Weight Loss Contests – To help employees eat healthier to improve their overall well-being with a fun challenge with their peers.

Health Fair – includes a biometric  screening  with glucose, blood pressure, height, weight.

Healthtrax Discount – A good way for employers to provide a wellness benefit to employees.

Employee Assistance Program – Assists employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may impact their job performance, health, mental and emotional well-being.

On-site Flu Shot Clinic – To make getting the flu shot easy and convenient for employees.