Success Stories

 

James Valleau- Graduated from Mitchell College in New London in 2021 but did not have a lot of paid work experience. He was interested in becoming a librarian, but lack of experience held him back. James older brother who also attended the Skill UP program shared his experience with the Skill-Up Manufacturing program and encouraged him to participate. In no time, James enrolled in the Skill for Manufacturing program.

James completed the program and has accepted a job offer with Hobson& Motzer in Durham. He will be the second shift machine operator.

Randy Flores- is a recent graduate of our Skill Up for Manufacturing program. Before starting the program Randy had received possible employment interest from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation but he needed to increase his relevant skills. Through the Skill Up program, he was able to gain the support and skills that helped him land the job with Sikorsky. “It’s [Skill Up for Manufacturing is] a very good program. There are lots of opportunities available. It’s not a program that’s going to hand you the material and ask you to do it passively. The teachers will sit down and go at your pace instead of rushing you to do things. It’s definitely a really good program.”

Michelle Lockhart- is a single parent of two teenage children. When she came to The American Job Center she was looking for a career that would allow her stability and financial independence. She received training for EMT through our partner at Hunter’s Ambulance. Along with training Michelle received supportive services such as transportation assistance, uniforms, and coverage for testing fees payments that allowed her to complete the training successfully. She currently is employed at Manchester Memorial Hospital full-time making a competitive wage and is really enjoying her new career.