HUNTSVILLE — It was signing day Tuesday for nearly a dozen students at Drake State Community & Technical College.
They didn’t sign to enroll at the college; they signed to accept job offers from five advanced manufacturing companies.
The first students in Drake State’s Connecting Students with Industry Advanced Industrial Maintenance Program accepted the job offers while still pursuing their associate degrees.
The 11 students signed with Boeing, GE Appliances, LSINC, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing and Toyota Alabama. This unique opportunity This unique opportunity gives students the chance to commit to their studies, make a livable wage and gain valuable technical skills.
“I’ve been working my whole life, fixing cars, going to different companies,” said 31-year-old Isaac Jenkins. “I get to go to school. I can get my degree.
“Ain’t too many jobs doing this.”
Jenkins has been working in the automotive industry since high school. He thought about going to college, but said he had to work to pay the bills.
Ashley Brown, Boeing senior manufacturing operations manager, said the companies taking part in the CSI Program are supporting students in their education goals.
“You can start with a two-year degree, get hands-on technical experience and work your way up in the workforce,” said Brown. “It’s not too late to pivot. If you started out in a different field and want to transition over to a technical field, now is the perfect time to do that.”
To make it easier for more students to pivot into advanced manufacturing careers, Drake State announced its plan to expand the CSI Program to students pursuing associate degrees in engineering design and machine tool by fall 2023.
“I just want to tell people that this is a great opportunity,” said Jenkins. “I know some people will be like, ‘I can’t quit my job.’ ’If I quit my job, then bills will be due.’ ‘I can’t afford to do that.’
“This is a great opportunity if you can just step out on faith. Go through it. You won’t regret it.”
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