When their four-year degrees weren't enough to secure employment in today's competitive job market, Gunnar Olsen and Alexander Scott enrolled in Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) to stand out to employers.
Olsen was fresh out of college with a physics degree, when his job search hit an unexpected obstacle: Employers wanted industry experience he didn't have. When he learned about ATDM's free, fast-track, four-month program leading to a career in defense manufacturing, the path forward became clear.
"I could see no downsides to it," said Olsen. "It felt like the right move."
He enrolled in ATDM’s Non-destructive testing program, and 11 weeks in, he knows he made the right choice. The program has provided exactly what his university education lacked – hands-on learning and industry connections.
"I feel very excited moving forward," said Olsen. "It's an excellent way to apply the physical concepts I learned during my degree in a practical setting and develop the industry connections that were missing from my university experience."
Alexander Scott faced a similar challenge after earning his mechanical engineering degree, spending months applying for jobs with little success. "It was a constant process of applying and not seeing any results. I felt like there was no opportunity," said Scott. "Once I found ATDM, I felt like a new door opened for me."
Scott is pursuing a certification in ATDM’s Computer Numerical Control (CNC) program, expanding on skills that were only briefly introduced during his college studies. He's confident this focused training will improve his job prospects after he graduates from ATDM. "This is something that's going to be relevant in the future," he said.
Only three weeks into his training, Scott sees what sets ATDM apart from other workforce training programs. ATDM offers 600 hours of intensive, hands-on experience tailored to his trade, a certification achievable in 16 weeks, soft skills instruction and direct connections to prospective employers through ATDM's industry network.
It’s the hands-on experiences that excite Olsen every single day. “I like that I get to work with sound waves and next week I get to work with radiation. There are all of these concepts that I learned about in school but never really learned how to apply in an industry environment in a practical way. I’m now getting that experience,” said Olsen.
Both students embrace the program's demanding structure, which mirrors a professional work environment. They clock in five days a week, building the discipline and routine that will serve them in their future careers.
“It simulates a job environment, so you have your own clock-in cards. These are 40-hour workweeks,” explained Olsen.
This structure prepares students for the next step after the program, landing and succeeding in new careers. While the technical training forms the foundation of their education, what surprised both Olsen and Scott most were the immediate connections they made through ATDM's career fairs.
The program's industry partnerships have already opened doors that seemed impossible just months ago. For Scott, a career fair interaction led to an unexpected opportunity.
“After the career fair, one of the companies actually reached out to me, and I’m going there to tour one of their factories. It’s a big step up,” said Scott.
Olsen emphasizes how these face-to-face interactions create opportunities that online applications simply cannot match. In an era where job seekers often feel lost in digital application systems, ATDM provides the personal connections that can launch careers.
“Having that in-person connection helps you get to know the company better,” explained Olsen. “Especially for those who may feel a little lost in the current economic climate, I think it’s a really great way to build your network.”
While Olsen and Scott found ATDM after four years of college, Scott wants prospective students to know that you don’t have to take that route. The program welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, proving that career transformation is possible regardless of educational history.
“You don’t have to have a bachelor’s degree; people come from all backgrounds,” he said. “People come from food service and retail - anywhere.”
Olsen and Scott’s path to finding ATDM might have taken them four years and countless rejections, but it will only take them 16 weeks to learn the skills needed to set them up for lifelong success in careers they can be confident will always be in demand.
Learn more about Gunnar and Alexander's experiences at ATDM on Spectrum News.
Want to join the journey with Olsen and Scott? Request more info from the ATDM team today!