Before joining JARC, Dash’s life was marked by uncertainty and a series of challenges. After high school, he initially pursued a psychology degree but quickly realized that traditional classroom settings weren’t a good fit for him. He found himself struggling through standard university and community college, eventually deciding to seek a more hands-on career path.
Dash’s journey took a pivotal turn when his mother and former hockey coach introduced him to JARC. “My mom found JARC during her research, and then my old hockey coach knew someone that went there years ago,” Dash recalls. “I was intrigued because it seemed like a place where I could find a new direction.” After a brief period of testing and orientation, Dash began JARC’s Welding Program. He describes his experience at JARC as transformative.
”“I really enjoyed the program. It was well-structured, and I met many great people who I’ll be friends with for life.”
Dash
”The fast-paced nature of manufacturing was tough at first, but the skills I learned at JARC, especially the ability to be self-reliant, helped me adapt quickly.
Dash
Dash also appreciated the supportive learning environment where he and his classmates helped each other.
During his time at JARC, Dash received several support services. These included gas cards to cover his commute, 15 sessions of employment coaching, 5 sessions of financial coaching, and 6 sessions of income support. Additionally, he attended 6 workshops on topics such as taxes, digital literacy, credit, and savings. This practical assistance was essential in letting him focus on his training without the stress of transportation costs. “The gas cards were a huge help. They allowed me to concentrate fully on my learning,” he says. Dash’s dedication and hard work paid off as he earned his OSHA 10-hour safety certification and the AWS MIG welding certification. “When I got my AWS certification, I felt really happy because I worked hard for it”.
Dash has secured a job at S&C Electric, earning $24 per hour with overtime pay at $36.
“The fast-paced nature of manufacturing was tough at first, but the skills I learned at JARC, especially the ability to be self-reliant, helped me adapt quickly.” Even after finding a job, Dash remained committed to his professional growth and continued his education at JARC by enrolling in Saturday classes. “I wanted to stay connected with my classmates and continue learning. When James reached out about a TIG welding class, I jumped at the opportunity,” Dash explains.
Looking ahead, Dash is excited about his future. He aspires to gain more experience at S&C Electric, potentially join a union, and eventually own a home. “I want to eventually move out into maybe an apartment. It would be wonderful to save up enough money to skip the whole first apartment and go straight into owning a house,” he says.
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