Manuel H.'s Success Story

Manuel’s journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of second chances. From a young age, Manuel faced numerous barriers that made it difficult for him to find a path forward. Identified as a “secure track” youth from the Juvenile Detention Facility, he was determined to make a positive change in his life. During his time in custody, Manuel took every opportunity to prepare for a better future. He completed training in welding and cement laying and gained hands-on work experience through participation in a local Farmer’s Market, working once a week over the course of two to three months. Despite these efforts, finding stable employment after his release proved to be a challenge.

With the support of the Madera County Workforce Investment Corporation (MCWIC) and Juvenile Hall staff, Manuel was referred to Nemat, Inc. for a potential opportunity as a machine operator. During the interview, the employer was impressed by Manuel’s positive attitude, strong motivation, and eagerness to learn. Recognizing his potential, Nemat, Inc. brought him on board as a CNC Lathe Operator (Solar) trainee through the Paid Work Experience (PWEX) Program.

This placement was a critical turning point. Through hands-on training, Manuel developed valuable technical skills, re-entered the workforce, and earned an income. After successfully completing 460 hours of training under PWEX, Nemat, Inc. saw tremendous potential in him and chose to invest further in his development. Recognizing the need for continued growth in areas such as programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting, the company partnered with MCWIC to establish an On-the-Job Training (OJT) agreement.

Thanks to this partnership, Manuel is now continuing to develop his skills and progress toward becoming a highly proficient CNC Lathe Operator. Nemat, Inc. has expressed great satisfaction with his performance, citing his quick learning ability and strong work ethic as key assets to their team.