Pima County's One-Stop Career Center and Southern Arizona Manufacturing Partners celebrated its first graduating class of machinists.

The students received their initial training from the Career Technical Education machining programs at Desert View High School and Tucson High Magnet School. The program also had students interning with local manufacturers.

Watch the video story on KVOA website.  

Argus Machine Shop does precision machining for Tucson companies. The local manufacturing business gave Roberto Heredia his first job after completing Pima County's program.

"To be able to mold them and put them in different areas; to get their interests and actually get them into the workforce for the future needs was [a] really important thing," said Tom Beishuizen, president of Argus.

Argus became a part of the program to build a workforce for the future.

"Some employees, who were trained a number o decades ago in the machining industry have actually exited the workforce," said Beishuizen. "So you're working on the need for the next 10, 20, or 30 years."

Heredia graduated in December, but said his education has not stopped.

"I'm barely starting, so I have a lot of growing and a long way to go still. Actually, I love my shop and I'm really happy here," said Heredia.

With a growing program, there is a need for more local manufacturing companies to provide internships.  

Story provided by KVOA reporter Domenica Fuller. 

To join SAMP please contact Gerri Brunson.