Student Testimonials
Video credit: Toldwell Studios
2024 – Ashley started her new career at Sensor Systems in St. Petersburg in February 2024. Ashley heard about AmSkills on Facebook. Before joining AmSkills Bootcamp #26 in January, she worked for a medical transport service, Uber Eats, and was a goat farm hand. She had zero manufacturing experience. In June Ashley said this, “ I started with Sensor Systems on February 27th. I’m an assembler and started at $17/hr. I got a raise at 90 days! Thank you so much for the AmSkills program. I’m forever grateful.”
2024 – Peter (on right) is one of the first new hires (May) for Pasco Utilities from Bootcamp #27. Peter is a Plant Mechanic Trainee making $18.23/hr. He heard about the Career Discovery Bootcamp from the Suncoast News in Pasco County. Peter was a self-employed handyman who had experience in landscaping, cabinetry, painting, and pressure cleaning. He continued his education, while working with Pasco Utilities, by attending the AmSkills Pre-Apprenticeship course and is now a Certified Production Technician.
Christina Goodwin (Army Veteran) was one of the first new hires with U.S. Water in 2024. Christina is a Utility Construction Tech making $20/hr and started mid-April. Before participating in Bootcamp #27, Christina was cleaning homes and homeless, living in her truck. She found out about AmSkills through our partner, Boley Veteran Services.
Todd was a Storage Center CSR, a tree service grounds man, and a Little Cesar’s crew member in Arkansas before attending Bootcamp #28. He discovered the Bootcamp from a friend in Florida. After the Bootcamp he received a 2nd interview with Molex in St. Petersburg and accepted a new career! He started in June of 2024 at $17hr and this is what he had to say, “I move down to Tampa soon and I am super excited. Thank you so much for the bootcamp! I will always recommend AmSkills to everyone. Thank you.”
Chandler was a Customer Service Associate for Lowes and a PVD Tech for Brycoat Precision Coatings. A graduate from River Ridge High he came to AmSkills looking for a new career, He found AmSkills during an online search and started his new journey on May 13, 2024 at Align-Precision for $22/hr as a Wastewater Controller. Chandler said this after attending Bootcamp #28, “Today I accepted a position at Align Precision! Couldn’t have done it without you and the whole AmSkills team, thank you for everything!”
Brenda Merkle (68-year-old) heard about AmSkills at a job fair she attended and after signing up for Bootcamp #27 started in her new career in mid-June, 2024 as a Senior Admin. Asst. at a high wage. She comes to U.S. Water with much IT experience and states, “This job is through AmSkills! US Water was here to interview all of us, and it just takes time until a position comes available. I previously interviewed with them for CSR, but that was very entry level, and their HR called back with this position!” Brenda is the classic example of the phrase we at AmSkills use often, “Manufacturing companies hire for attitude and train for skills.”