"Arinze (Ari) Manning is a recent Grafton Job Corps Advanced Manufacturing graduate who is employed at the Gillette World Shaving Factory in Boston as a Manufacturing Assis-tant. Before Arinze came to Job Corps she was a struggling college student who knew that she was on the wrong path, “I went to college because it seemed like what I was supposed to do, but I was really, really unhappy. I knew that it would be better for me to learn a trade.”
Ari researched various trade programs and Job Corps seemed like a perfect fit. Looking for a fresh start Arinze enrolled at Westover Job Corps which was across the state from her hometown of Boston. Ari first completed training in Building Construction/Facility Maintenance. “I wanted to join a trade that is traditionally underrepresented by women. I wanted to work with my hands and break barriers!” Next, she applied at Grafton Job Corps, to further her education in the Advanced Manufacturing program. This training program partners with he Blackstone Valley EdHub for training. Ari says, “I know it sounds strange, but I’ve always been insecure about my math skills. I wanted to be challenged while learning; Advanced Manufacturing was perfect for that. I could work with my hands, improve my math skills, and prepare for a great a ca-reer”. Arinze began a paid externship and met some mentors at Inteplast Engineered Films out of Westborough before the pandemic hit. Like everyone, she was unsure of her next steps or what to do. Ari doe not like to sit around. She sought out manufacturing companies that could utilize her skills while helping out during these unsettling times. The Gillette compa-ny switched from making razors, to making face masks for first responders and Ari is now a part of this history!
The staff and students of Grafton Job Corps and the team at the BV EdHUB are incredibly proud of Arinze Manning and look forward to supporting her success throughout her career!"
