Hector
Hector was in his mid-forties, supporting a wife and 2 children, when he was laid off from Honeywell. Hector had been employed at Honeywell since graduating from high school in 1994, and expected to work there until retirement. Beginning as an Assembler and working up to a Pre-Analyzer position, Hector had developed skills in quality control and inspection, earning a wage of $18.14 per hour.
Hector always liked math and wanted to train in a new field. Through funding provided by the TAA Program, he was able to enroll in the Accounting program at Waubonsee Community College. Hector maintained an A average during the program, graduating with honors. The Monday after graduation, Hector began working full-time for May & Associates, an accounting firm, earning $19.50 per hour— more than what he had earned at Honeywell! Hector was very excited and happy to begin working so soon after completing his Accounting Degree.