After just four weeks of training, Melissa Hirsch is
poised to make a fresh start. Hirsch completed a four-week welding course that
was part of a MN-DEED Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) grant sponsored by Pine
Technical & Community College - Employment and Training Center. She's now
employed full-time as a welder at Premier Pontoon, earning a great wage and
making a better life for her family.
“I never thought after a four-week class I would be able
to get a job and have the pay start as high as it did,” Hirsch said.
As a single mom recovering from addiction, Hirsch knew
she needed to create a new opportunity for herself and her son, but didn't want
to be in school for great length of time.
“I was in childcare, and started doing some tree service
and construction and realized I liked hard labor kind of work,” Hirsch,
currently a Forest Lake resident, said.
Not afraid to work with her hands, Hirsch began looking
for options, and heard about the four-week welding program at PTCC. Although
the length of the program and promise of a high wage made it an attractive
option, Hirsch was apprehensive.
"I had no prior knowledge of welding," Hirsch
admits. "I didn't know the tools or the terminology, but the instructor
made me feel comfortable."
"I think it helped that the instructor was a
female," Hirsch continued. "When I first started, I had self-doubt. I
was intimidated by blue printing reading and not having knowledge of tools. She
started from the beginning to explain things, and I didn’t have to feel awkward
asking questions."
Hirsch also found support with the Career Navigator, Kris
Hanson.
"The support of Kris and everyone there – I knew
they were all rooting for me. Kris went above and beyond to give resources. Not
just career, but also housing assistance as well," she said.
“Melissa has grown since I first began working with her,”
Hanson said. “Learning a trade, landing a great job—these things are more than
just a paycheck to women like Melissa. Her confidence has grown. She’s proven
she’s not afraid of hard work, and she has found success.”
Hirsch did have to work hard to find a job, and some of
the companies she contacted didn't call. But Hirsch didn't give up. She's now
working at Premier Pontoon, earning a great wage that allows for financial
stability.
"Hard work always shows," Hirsch said. "I
never thought I would be at this point, be this successful. I now have
successful career and can care for my son."
