Jace Jelinek Joins the Family at Century Tool & Gage

Jace Jelinek came into the GST Michigan Works! Fenton office November 17th of 2022 looking for some help. Jace was working at another machining company in Fenton as a temp CNC Operator for almost a year. He was looking to find a company where he would be hired as a full-time employee and not have to worry about employment instability as a temporary employee. Jace was hoping to find a local company that would help train him and he could start a career.  

Jace didn’t have a resume and wanted to be able to showcase his CNC Machining experience. Career Coach Mary Newell started helping Jace Jelinek with his resume shortly after he came into the office. That same week, Business Solutions Professional (BSP) Roy Reynolds had been working with the Human Resources Manager, Connie Lee at Century Tool & Gage, finding out she needed to fill a Benching Technician position. The day Jace came into the GST Michigan Works! Fenton office looking for help, the position at Century Tool had just been posted on the featured job board that morning. Once Mary and Jace completed the creation of his resume, BSP Roy Reynolds directed Jace to the job opening at Century Tool & Gage. Jace was very interested in this position! His dad was a current employee and his grandfather had been for years, as well. Roy emailed Jace’s resume to Century Tool, hoping he would be a good fit for the Benching Technician position.  

Jace was offered the position on December 8th, 2022. He started at Century Tool & Gage on January 3rd of 2023. Once he was hired, GST Michigan Works! was able to help with supportive services to pay for new work clothes for his new position. GST Michigan Works! was also able to offer the opportunity of an “OJT” (on-the-job training) at Century Tool & Gage to help train him in some of the skills he was lacking. 

 Jace continues to do well on th job, following in his family’s footsteps. He is gaining more knowledge and experience on Century Tool’s machines every day. He is currently making well-above minimum wage and will see his first wage increase when he hits six months of employment.  

“I’m very happy here at Century Tool & Gage! I’m so happy I came into GST Michigan Works! that day. They are training me in everything and it’s a process, but I’m not going anywhere. Century Tool is going to be home for me.” 

Connie Lee stated, “We really appreciate our partnership with GST Michigan Works!”