Sucess Story - Michael Hewitt
Michael Hewitt had a nice career going in engineering support for a major manufacturer of all-terrain vehicles and personal watercraft. But back problems prevented him from continuing that line of work.
His employer referred him to the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department. His counselor, Tameka Brockington, hit the ground running. “He was eager to go back to work. He just needed a little guidance and assistance.”
VR provided a full evaluation and pain management services at its Evaluation Center in West Columbia and Hewitt received aquatic therapy at VR’s Muscular Development Center. His interest in information technology was piqued by the department’s innovative Information Technology Training Center, where he qualified for the 11-month course to become an AutoCAD technician.
“There are some really good instructors at VR,” says Hewitt, 47. “This knowledge has opened a lot more doors, led to a lot more opportunities.” He passed the national AutoCAD certification test on the first try.
Meanwhile, Paul Hanna, the president of MetalTech Systems, a company that serves the metal casting, recycling/recovery and manufacturing industries, learned about SCVRD’s information technology training program and was very interested because “we could integrate it with what we do here.” The company needed an AutoCAD detailer to draw plans for recycling equipment.
Hewitt was interviewed and, through VR’s Skilled Workforce Apprenticeship Training program, learned on the job with VR paying part of the training costs. VR’s rehabilitation engineers provided a modified desk, monitor riser and ergonomic arm rest for his workstation. A few weeks later MetalTech hired Hewitt full-time. “We couldn’t be more pleased,” says Hanna. “I would strongly urge other companies to hire VR clients.”
And Hewitt loves his new career. “If you enjoy your job, it’s not so much work,” he says. “You look at it like ‘what new challenges can I work with today?”
