Heavy Equipment Training Through WIOA Dislocated Worker

Garvin worked as a Facilities Manager overseeing all projects and tasks in a mobile home community. He trained staff, managed home portfolios, did preventative maintenance, and scheduled all projects with the company for years until it closed. 

Garvin said after years of hard work turning the community into a clean, safe place to live the owner decided it was time to sell due to their own health concerns. Garvin was politely asked to stay until the completion of the sale. He was able to help the new company get the answers they required to understand the scope of homes and how the park operated. 

In November, Garvin came to the GST Michigan Works! in Fenton to register for work. Finding himself with his own challenges being unemployed and with changes to his own limitations, finding new employment became a challenge until he heard about how GSTMW was able to assist him with career resources including training for a new occupation. 

After being unemployed for 3 months without receiving any offers of employment from his job search, Garvin contacted the Fenton Service Center and was scheduled for WIOA Intake.

Through the intake process, he found that he was interested in training as a heavy equipment operator. He found North Country Heavy Equipment School on the Pure Michigan Talent Connect, was approved, and started training at the beginning of March. After successfully completing this training at the end of the month, he decided to complete CDL A training with the same school and gain additional skills for employment. 

On June 6th, 2023, Garvin became employed at P.I. & I. Motor Express where he would load and transport various types of heavy equipment. Garvin was very grateful for the assistance he received from GST Michigan Works! – Fenton, the training opportunities, and his new career.