Job Seeker Success Stories

Woman Interested in Career Change Uses Apprenticeship to Find New Direction

Amanda, a cosmetologist, decided it was time to explore another career. From the moment she joined a “Women that Weld” training program, she recognized this was what she wanted to do. Oakland County Michigan Works! knew one of its business clients, transportation industry supplier FEV North America, had a robust apprenticeship program for skilled trades.
Amanda enrolled in a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) adult program for more advanced on-the-job training, plus classroom instruction. She recently completed the first year of a four-year program. The apprenticeship has changed her life and given her new confidence about her future and chosen career path.

Displaced Auto Worker Switches to In-Demand Health Care Career

Mark, 31, lost his production job at an automaker and was committed to finding a more stable career path. Working with Oakland County Michigan Works!, he took advantage of the state’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Program and returned to school to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) with plenty of job opportunities throughout the region.

Young Woman Takes Advantage of On-the-Job Training for New Beginning

Nicole, 23, worked a number of jobs after high school, but finding her career niche was elusive. Oakland County Michigan Works! helped her complete a skills assessment and identify an interest in pursuing a career as an administrative assistant, with the goal of finding a long-term position that provided stability.

She secured a full-time clerk position with the treasurer’s department for the city of Southfield, which included on-the-job training.

 Layoff Prompts Experience Worker to Tackle New Challenge

William, 55, found himself unemployed after 33 years as an engineer at a Detroit-area digital media company. He wanted to stay in the technical field. Oakland County Michigan Works! helped open the door for William to pursue a new career in advanced manufacturing.

He took advantage of the state’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Program and successfully completed the Programmable Logical Controls (PLC) & Robotic Technician Program at Oakland Community College. He is now employed full-time as a field service technician for a thermal food processing company.

Sole Earner Uses Training Funds to Advance Career

Zerina, 22, worked as a pharmacy technician but, as her family’s sole earner, she needed to pursue a better career opportunity and pay. Using the federal Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, Oakland County Michigan Works! helped her pay to enroll in a certified nurse aide (CAN) training program.

 She is now working at a medical clinic, where she was elevated to medical assistant and has plans to become a physician’s assistant.

Military Vet Earns Updated IT Certification and Secures New Job

Steven, 55, a U.S. military veteran, lost his job as an IT systems architect. He knew he would have to update his technical certifications to land a new position. Oakland County Michigan Works! enrolled him in the Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope (PATH) and Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act programs. 

Steven secured training funds to earn an IT Specialist Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. He is now employed by a local U.S. government services provider.