A PALETTE OF PARTNERSHIP

There’s a saying that there’s “no wrong door” in our workforce system. A palette of community partners works together to support people on their path toward success. SkillSource is one of the partners on that palette, along with Job Corps, and local businesses like the Grant County Fairgrounds.

Michael is a young man in Moses Lake who, in his words, had flunked out of high school with a 1.2 GPA. He wanted to fulfill his uncle’s legacy and become a welder, but according to Michael it “wasn’t for me, standing around welding beads and sweating my bum off all day everyday. So I tried out painting, and instantly fell in love with it and how much goes into the trade. Over time I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life.”

Without a diploma or a driver’s license, Michael’s options were limited. His brother had gone through Job Corps for carpentry, so Michael also sought his path through Job Corps. He completed his diploma, got his driver’s license, and embarked on a pre-apprenticeship path to become a union painter. “I believe painting is my calling. I love learning new things and moving around and making things look good. And being a part of the union is being part of something bigger than myself. I used to be into drugs and alcohol, but when I think about painting … I want to build a career and a reputation that I didn’t think was possible.”

Because there’s no wrong door in our workforce system, Job Corps connected Michael to SkillSource to help develop the skills needed for employment. His SkillSource trainer, Marisa, helped secure him a paid work experience with the Moses Lake Grant County Fairgrounds where he would be able to develop those essential work skills on the job. Michael gained valuable work and life skills during his 160 hours with the fairgrounds! The financial resources allowed him to complete a pre-apprenticeship with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and secure a spot in the full Apprenticeship Program. Jim McKiernan, his supervisor, along with his manager Chris, praised Michael’s ability to work efficiently and independently, describing it as a great experience. Michael expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, sharing that he thoroughly enjoyed his time at the fairgrounds.

Now that his work experience with the fairgrounds has ended, he’s working at a job for Goodwill until he enters the apprenticeship later this spring! 

“Almost everything in this world gets painted or stained or has a special coating to protect it and I want to be a part of it all.” 

Congratulations on your painter’s journey, Michael! And thank you to Grant County Fairgrounds and Job Corps for being essential partners in the big picture. 

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A man in work clothes and glasses sits behind the wheel of a green golf cart.
Michael completed a paid work experience at the Moses Lake Grant County Fairgrounds and is on his path to become a painter.
Three men in casual clothes stand outside in front of an orange door at the fairgrounds.
Michael's supervisor, Jim, and manager, Chris, were impressed with Michael's work ethic and productivity at the fairgrounds.