Many have predicted a grim future for manufacturing in southeast Michigan and there is no questioning the loss of jobs contributes to that forecast.

But Lance Smith is proof that with hard work, solid skills and, yes, some luck, pursuing a career as a machinist in Monroe County is not a dead-end concept. At 19 years old, the young man from Carleton already has a full-time job with benefits as an apprentice at Pump Engineering on W. Hurd Rd. And the job already has taken him on a business trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

"I always wanted to work with my hands," Lance said. "I can't sit at home playing video games. That drives me nuts."

Lance, a 2006 Airport High School graduate, is the product of the Downriver Career Technical Consortium (DCTC), which attracts students from nine high schools and sends them to classes to learn trades.

Malin Wagner, director of the DCTC, said Lance took advantage of the program and it helped him launch his fledgling career.

"It's a tremendous success story, especially with all the bad things going on in Michigan," Mr. Wagner said. "Lance was an excellent student and is a super kid."

The son of Jeff and Lori Smith of Carleton, Lance always was exposed to working on machines and equipment. At 14 he spent much of his free time working in the barn on a 1968 GMC pickup with his grandfather.

Then his career aspirations got a huge boost one day in the 10th grade when on a field trip he visited a machine shop class taught by Chip Greene at Huron High School. All the lathes and drills and grinders got him hooked.

"I loved it," Lance said. "(Mr. Greene) pretty much lets us loose as long as you were working."

And he did work. For two years Lance sharpened his skills in the trades while taking welding classes at Monroe County Community College in the dual enrollment program. his senior year he was ready to look for a job.

He saw an ad that Pump Engineering Inc. had an opening in the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) program. But the company wanted someone with experience. Still Lance took a chance, hoping his fabrication and welding background in high school would count.

"Seeing I was serious," he said, "I figured maybe they'd want to hire me."

It worked.

"I wish I had 10 Lances," said Robert A. Oklejas, President of the company.

He was 18 at the time. And while he has a lot of training to do before he works on some of the precision projects, Lance is enjoying his job while he attends Henry Ford Community College where he is pursuing an associate's degree.

"Basically I started out sweeping floors," he said without a hint of apprehension. "In not too long, I got to run some machines."

He's about half-way through the 8,000 hours he needs to complete his apprenticeship to become a journeyman. Although Lance is a young man at the plant, he takes it in stride.

"I get teased a lot," he said. "But I like how I get along with people here. That's important in a job."

Once he accompanied two co-workers to the Middle East where they spent about a week in Dubai at a desalinization plant where the crew serviced turbochargers. At first Lance wasn't sure he wanted to go. But it had nothing to do with traveling to that region of the world.

"I don't like to fly," was his simple explanation. "I was really nervous when they asked me to go."

It worked out well and Lance enjoyed the experience. Just like he's enjoying his job. He is well aware that finding good work out of high school is rare these days, especially in this region. But he also believes he worked hard to get into this position and that contributed to his good fortunes.

"It's worked out for me," he said.

For Mr. Wagner of the DCTC, Lance is also proof that if everyone pulls together perhaps manufacturing in this area can not only survive but thrive.

"I'm so proud of Lance, Chip and Pump Engineering," Mr. Wagner said. "Lance is a young man with a great start in life."



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