Youth Finds Career Path and Job Experience

Originally posted in the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council January 2014 Newsletter:

We’re grateful that we have employees like Mary Stanton and Robin Knott making a difference in our community and the lives of our young adults!

Tanner, 20, never really enjoyed school. He graduated, but he didn’t think he’d go back. He went to work as a line cook and spent three years at minimum wage. He knew the restaurant industry wasn’t for him so he went to work as a lift operator at Mt. Spokane.

When the season closed, he went to WorkSource, which referred him to the Next Generation Zone. He had planned to become an electrician, but when an apprenticeship didn’t pan out, he was open to other options. His career coach Robin Knott thought he would be a good candidate for Air Washington at Spokane Community College, which trains people in the aerospace industry.

Tanner was accepted into the program, and within two weeks, he was five weeks ahead in math. “I’m doing second year engineering math, and it’s starting to click,” he said.

However, he still needed employment so he went to Air Washington Navigator Mary Stanton, who referred him to Associated Painters. He could tell the company was uneasy since he is young and had no prior experience in the field. Robin went with Tanner to Associated Painters and offered an On-the-Job Training contract, which helps defray the cost of training a new employee. “I think it was a big help,” said Tanner. “It eased their minds.” Robin was also able to help outfit him with the proper attire needed to work in manufacturing.

Now Tanner works swing shift painting airplanes so his days are free to attend class. He is planning on getting his associate degree at SCC and then transferring to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

He said the Next Generation Zone was a huge help in getting him on a career path. “I wouldn’t even have known about the job. I didn’t even know we painted planes in Spokane,” he said.