Students gets new start in automotive with help of No Worker Left Behind
Student Profile: Michael Ballard
Michael Ballard had a sneaking feeling that his past job in Hillsdale may be coming to an end. With the help of Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program, he is getting a new start on a career in automotive repair at Jackson Community College.
After working four years for a family expediting service in the Hillsdale area, Ballard found himself out of work when the business closed its doors. Through the South Central Michigan Works! office, he learned about No Worker Left Behind, the state program that provides up to two years of free tuition to help individuals gain skills and credentials for new careers in high-demand occupations. Ballard hopes to someday work on diesel cars and trucks.
“I’ve always been interested in automotive, I’ve worked on cars since I was about 13,” Ballard said. He is finishing up his certificate in automotive technology this semester, and plans to continue on to earn his associate degree. “So far, everything is going great. It’s a great atmosphere, the teachers are very willing to help you learn if there’s something you don’t understand.”
It’s important for automotive workers to be able to work under pressure and be able to motivate one’s self, Ballard said.
“It’s a pretty good industry. Cars will always need to be repaired, it’s something that isn’t going away,” he said. “If someone goes into this program, they can also repair their own vehicle themselves, and can save thousands of dollars.”
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