WIOA OSY & JMG Talent Tour Connects Youth with Manufacturing Career Possibilities

On March 5th, through participation in both the WIOA Out-of-School Youth (OSY) program and JMG, one youth had the opportunity to take part in a personalized Talent Tour focused on welding. The visit took place at Universal Handling Equipment in Owosso, where he got a firsthand look at the world of manufacturing.

Unlike many who have grown up around industry, this youth had never been exposed to manufacturing before. However, with welding as a potential career path, he was eager to explore what the field had to offer. The tour provided an in-depth look at the company’s welding and metal preparation areas, allowing him to observe the manufacturing process in action.

Led by the company’s operations manager, the tour offered valuable insights into the industry. Although the youth did not interact directly with employees due to their active work, the operations manager answered his questions, explaining the skills required for the job, the importance of passing a weld test, and how training programs can help build a strong foundation. The discussion also covered how gaining experience in this role could serve as a stepping stone in opportunities with other companies in the manufacturing industry.

To further support the youth’s career exploration, the staff members overseeing both WIOA OSY and JMG prepared labor market information on welding and the broader manufacturing industry. This included details on wages, job outlook, required education, and local training programs. Reviewing this information helped him connect what he observed during the tour with real-world career opportunities, giving him a clearer understanding of the path ahead.