Ashley Houston knows how important manufacturing is for a community’s economic standing.
Houston, chief people officer for Perfecto Tool, grew up during the heyday of General Motors, a time in which Madison County, and particularly Anderson, thrived. She returned to Anderson in the summer of 2020 and noticed a difference in the state of her community.
Houston is part of an effort to bolster the manufacturing industry in Madison County through a partnership among Perfecto Tool, D1 Mold and Tool, and the Alexandria and Anderson community school districts.
“Students take classes starting their sophomore year, they come out and visit with us and then, during their senior year, they’re eligible for an internship rotating between us and D1,” Houston said, explaining how the program works.
After graduation, students can apply for a job at Perfecto or D1. So far, the program has its first senior and is expected to have 15 students next school year.
The classes Houston mentioned are available through the advanced manufacturing program at Alexandria and the D26 Career Center in Anderson. They involve learning how to operate machines like laves and mills, as well as other items.
Houston said the goal is to educate students about an alternative career path, one that doesn’t involve attending a four-year college.
“It’s a great career opportunity,” she said. “I love giving kids an opportunity they might not know exists.”
This article appeared in The Herald Bulletin.