Northwest Aerospace News June | July Issue No. 15 | Page 24

WATR Center graduate Uyen Ha works with Cindy Fisher, the center’s
retention specialist, to update her resume to include her new
position as an electrical assembler installer at The Boeing Company.
Credit: Edmonds Community College
LYNNWOOD, Washington — After
four years as a nail technician, Uyen Ha
was looking to make a change. Longer than
average work weeks and time away from
her young family brought about hopes of
finding a stable job with opportunities for
growth and better income.
Ha had heard about the short-term training
offered at the Washington Aerospace
Training and Research (WATR) Center
in Everett, Washington from friends who
completed certificate programs and landed
jobs at The Boeing Company. Inspired by
their success stories, Ha began the 12-week
Aerospace Electrical Assembly Mechanic
certificate in October 2018.
Ha came to the U.S. 12 years ago from
Vietnam. She was concerned about making
it through the intense training with English
as her second language and no experience
in manufacturing.
After being hired by The Boeing Company in January, Uyen Ha is completing an eight-day employee training
at the WATR Center. WATR has provided customized training to more than 1,100 incumbent workers.
“I had never worked in manufacturing before so everything was really new
for me,” Ha said. At the center, she said she found a supportive community of
instructors and staff that encouraged her. Ha graduated from the program in January
2019 and began her new job as an electrical assembler installer at Boeing this
January.
Credit: Edmonds Community College
24 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS