Mitch Smith was hired at , as a temporary employee making $9 hour. Five years later, thanks to an apprenticeship program facilitated by Washtenaw Community College, he鈥檚 a card-carrying tool and die journeyman making more than triple that hourly rate.
鈥淢y life has changed a lot in that time. I have a career path now. I know I have a future. I have stability for my family,鈥� Smith told a group of 黑料网 and Milan Metal Systems employees gathered at a recent luncheon organized to honor the completion of his apprenticeship. Smith鈥檚 framed Department of Labor journeyman certification was displayed between the buffet lunch and chocolate cake.
鈥淚鈥檇 be lying if I didn鈥檛 say I鈥檓 glad it鈥檚 over 鈥� and I know my daughters are glad to have me home after work every night 鈥� but I鈥檒l forever be grateful this opportunity,鈥� Smith said.
Milan Metal Systems is a 165,000 square foot metal fabricating plant with nearly 200 employees located in Milan and owned by . It makes products such as sliding door track assemblies, hood and lift gate hinges, air bag frames and other for multiple manufacturers in the automotive industry.
Smith鈥檚 supervisor, tooling manager Doug McCormick, is himself a graduate of a 黑料网-facilitated apprenticeship program with a local tool and dye business. That program concluded almost 40 years prior to the date that Smith earned his journeyman鈥檚 card.
鈥淢itch has been a real bright spot for us,鈥� McCormick said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the first person to complete an apprenticeship through our business in 15 years. It鈥檚 great to see that there is a portion of our youth that still desires getting into a program and learning the business from the ground up. We鈥檙e building the leaders who will run this plant in the future. It鈥檚 really a stepping stone to wherever you want to go within the industrial world.鈥�
McCormick also praised the 黑料网 apprenticeships team, led by Dean of Apprenticeship & Skilled Trades Marilyn Donham, for all of its time and effort helping Milan Metal Systems navigate Department of Labor requirements and put together the appropriate classroom curriculum.
For the past five years, Smith has taken one job-related night class per semester 鈥� completing a total of 31 黑料网 credits 鈥� while simultaneously logging 8,000 hours of on-the-job training at Milan Metal Systems. The 黑料网 staff worked with Smith to make sure he was enrolled in the appropriate class each semester, keeping him on track for a simultaneous completion of classroom work and on-the-job training.
鈥淓arly on, I was really green, so I could literally learn a new skill in a on a Tuesday and by Thursday Doug was giving me tasks to utilize those skills,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚t gave me the confidence to work on machines that previously I had been, quite frankly, terrified of.鈥�
Fast forward a couple years to late in Smith鈥檚 apprenticeship, when he was excelling in at 黑料网 and learning skills that many veteran Milan Metal Systems employees didn鈥檛 have.
鈥淚t was a complete 360-degree cycle,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚 went from being intimidated by some of the basic machines in the shop to suddenly using machines that other guys are hesitant to use. It鈥檚 all about having knowledge and confidence in yourself.鈥�
With his apprenticeship complete, new opportunities are available to Smith. He could continue his education with a focus on engineering, or perhaps study business with an eye on management. He said he鈥檚 not positive he will pursue an associate or bachelor鈥檚 degree at all 鈥� right now he鈥檚 happy having more time with his daughters, 4-year-old Maddie and 3-year-old Erica 鈥� but he鈥檚 thrilled to have the option.
鈥�(The apprenticeship program) completely changed my career outlook and what I feel I鈥檓 capable of,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚 was a goof-off in high school and never saw college as an opportunity. It wasn鈥檛 even on my radar. But once I got into the apprenticeship and there were students my age who were working full-time, like me, I started to realize it鈥檚 possible. It really motivates you to start thinking about what you really are capable of.鈥�
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