When Demetrios came to the Young Professionals (YP) program in February 2024, he was looking for guidance and a path into the skilled trades. Despite challenges with math and financial barriers at home, he approached the program with focus and a strong desire to build a stable future.
Early in his journey, Demetrios attended the Blue Water Building Trades Career Fair, an annual hands-on exploration event hosted by Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!. The event gave him the chance to try real tools, talk with trades professionals, and see potential career paths up close. It offered valuable insight and helped confirm his interest in carpentry and construction.
With support from our YP team, Demetrios received resume assistance, career planning, and a review of training options that matched his goals. The program also provided gas cards, tools, and other essentials that allowed him to participate in training without financial strain.
Demetrios enrolled at the Detroit Training Institute of Technology, where he completed the Carpentry and Building Construction program on June 27, 2025. Shortly afterward, he secured full-time employment with Solid Barn Construction, earning $19 per hour. He now applies the skills he learned in training every day and enjoys the work he does.
His experience in the Young Professionals program has been transformative. As he shared:
“This program is great and has changed my life in so much more ways than one. If you don’t know what to do with your future and you’re young, please sign up for the young adults career program. It will change yours too.”
Demetrios’ journey shows how support and career exploration can help young professionals take meaningful steps toward a future that’s right for them.
Want support as you take the next step toward your future? Learn more about our Young Professionals program.