Participant Spotlight
My name is Mason, and I’m 36 years old. I have worked a lot of different jobs so far in my life. They have ranged from stacking lumber to operating heavy machinery. I had a substance abuse problem for many years. I’ve been in and out of jail a bunch and prison once. In 2019 I worked for HRDF for about a month while I was out of jail on bond. I was doing really well. When I had court they sentenced me to prison. HRDF held my job for several months while I tried to get reconsideration. The reconsideration was denied.
After being released, I heard that HRDF was still working in my area so I applied again. I wasn’t able to start right away due to processing issues. About 2 months after working again I became the crew leader. I really enjoyed the challenge. I had been trying to gain my CDL’s while in the program but COVID put a halt to it. I started taking the Wind Turbine Technology classes at Eastern Community and Technical College. I made the Presidents list there.
I became supervisor about two months ago. Since then I have obtained my Class A CDL license and six credit hours from Eastern Community and Technical college. If not for this program I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to better myself. A normal job isn’t real flexible and some perceive growth as something that might take you away from them. My previous and present supervisors have both supported me 150%. The best part of this whole thing is that I received all of this education for free while still working. There is no way that I could have all of this while on drugs and working a normal job.
After being released, I heard that HRDF was still working in my area so I applied again. I wasn’t able to start right away due to processing issues. About 2 months after working again I became the crew leader. I really enjoyed the challenge. I had been trying to gain my CDL’s while in the program but COVID put a halt to it. I started taking the Wind Turbine Technology classes at Eastern Community and Technical College. I made the Presidents list there.
I became supervisor about two months ago. Since then I have obtained my Class A CDL license and six credit hours from Eastern Community and Technical college. If not for this program I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to better myself. A normal job isn’t real flexible and some perceive growth as something that might take you away from them. My previous and present supervisors have both supported me 150%. The best part of this whole thing is that I received all of this education for free while still working. There is no way that I could have all of this while on drugs and working a normal job.
