Maintenance Tech with an above-market pay rate!
Creation Date: 02/01/2024
Program Details
Barrett Morrissette participates in the OAI's Electro-Mechanical Technician program funded by a Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED) grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. In July 2023, Barrett saw a posting on Indeed describing OAI's Electro-Mechanical Technician training program. He was immediately drawn in as he was always interested in robotics and learning how machines function. However, Barrett tried several different resources, courses, and curriculums, but none taught in a way that made him stick to it. When trying to recover from his previous layoff as a sales development rep, he decided to try one last time with OAI. Once accepted into the program, Barrett completed the Foundational Skills Workshop that prepared him for the soft skills needed in the manufacturing sector and met with OAI's Program Coordinator 1-on-1 to create an Individual Service Plan that outlined all the transportation support, career coaching, and stipends needed to complete the training. During the program's 2-month span, he learned mechanical and electrical skills and earned the PMMI certification. He applied those skills to emergency repairs and working with electrical, appliances, and HVAC during an interview at Sam's Club. Barrett is now a Maintenance Technician at Sam's Club, earning $36.15 per hour. Barret stated in one of his messages to OAI: ‘I have achieved what I wouldn't have thought possible when I started. I met my wonderful classmates and friends I will never forget. I am a maintenance technician with an above-market pay rate now. I am so grateful for this opportunity to thrive in this career path.'