Dec. 15, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- GRCC Workforce Training programs provide in-demand skills leading to rewarding careers. Each Wednesday we’ll meet students who are heading down an educational pathway and changing their lives by earning occupational certificates.
Life’s path isn’t always a straight line and James Hernandez’s path has taken a sharp turn.
Hernandez was prospering as a chef. But when he was furloughed for three months and watched as more than 400 of his co-workers were let go, he was pretty nervous.
“I just had a feeling like this was not going to end well for me,” he said. “During this time, a friend of mine who works at Medbio told me he had been working the whole time. He suggested I apply. With a family and a mortgage, I just needed do some kind of work that was more secure.
“I started as a temp and was then hired in directly. After being an operator for a while, I let management know that I was interested in doing more. I then enrolled in the Plastics Polymer Engineering Certificate Program at GRCC and just finished my first class.
“Once I started class, I received a text from Cody Giba, representing the One Workforce program. The text said that I may qualify for some financial help through a new grant program. I got back to him right away.”
One Workforce for West Michigan Manufacturing is a grant program assisting those interested in pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing, or for those who want to improve their current manufacturing skills.
Even GRCC students who are currently enrolled in a manufacturing class or training program may qualify for financial assistance. There are nearly 20 GRCC programs qualifying for financial support.
“My major needs were tools for this class and for this type of work. Dennis Triggs, the One Workforce program manager, was super helpful. We discussed options and if that was something he could do. He was very open to what I needed. The One Workforce grant helped with the purchase of some of those tools to get me started and they are not cheap. I was able to get good quality tools that will last me a long time.
“Dennis and Cody were both so easy to work with. They were helpful and very responsive.”
The One Workforce program was developed to provide students with advanced manufacturing skills training – and training dollars — to gain the education needed to step into a rewarding career.
“It’s exciting to see where this will go," Hernandez said." I’m generally a person who loves school now, not so much when I was younger. I really love school and learning. This new career path is very interesting to me. Working in the medical device industry really means something to me. It gives me pride in my work to know that we provide products that are truly helping people.
“My goal right now is to get the certificate but I may keep going and get the associate degree in the future.”
Anyone interested in gaining career skills through GRCC Workforce Training can connect via email at workforcetraining@grcc.edu, and by phone at (616) 234-3800.
