Fine-Tuned Career: EMM Graduate Finds Success on New Path After Losing Job

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  Bill Williams works to install a mill spindle on a machine.
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  Moog Inc. (photo courtesy of Moog Inc.)

Akron resident Bill Williams may have decided to take classes at the Erie 1 BOCES Workforce Development Center after a negative event, but it turned out to be one of his most positive experiences in his life.

Williams enrolled at the Cheektowaga-based adult training center in 2016 after losing his job at an automotive company in Niagara County. Now, he works as a level 3 machine repair technician/numeric control specialist at Moog Inc. in East Aurora, and he could not be happier.

“When my job as a service technician got cut, I felt defeated not only because I enjoyed what I did repairing machinery, but also I have a small family to provide for and I didn’t have a job to be able to do that,” Williams explained.

Having manufacturing experience under his belt already, Williams decided to enroll in the Erie 1 BOCES Electro-Mechanical Maintenance (EMM) program at age 27. His wife Megan came across the program in an online advertisement, and she encouraged him to investigate it further.

“The course description spelled out to me that I didn’t need a conventional apprenticeship to reach my goals, since that was something I was having trouble securing at my previous job,” Williams said. “The options for funding were also so accommodating that it was easy to decide that this was what I was going to do, and enrolling helped propel me toward realizing my ambitions.”

The 600-hour EMM program covers all aspects of working in an industrial setting. Students learn how to troubleshoot, repair and maintain equipment in a wide array of areas, including hydraulics, pneumatics, pipefitting, sheet metal, welding, basic electricity and machining.

Williams enjoyed the educational format of the course, noting every lesson was immersive and hands-on. The individualized setting also helped him master relevant skills, with the instructor spending time assisting every student and having them implement what they just learned. They would even have to troubleshoot situations that were intentionally done incorrectly.

“This was the best instruction method I’ve ever encountered, so much so that I’ve transitioned to taking part in training and developing newer members of my team,” Williams stated. “I use the same methods on a weekly basis, and I still keep my notes from class on my work bench to this day to either reference them or share them to carry out tasks.”

Being able to handle anything is exactly what Moog requires of Williams, and he feels he can deliver thanks to the EMM program. Williams landed a job at the motion control manufacturer after revamping his resume and interview skills during the career-seeking segment of the program. An apprenticeship opportunity in Moog’s Machine Repair department popped up for Williams, and he immediately applied.

After several interviews, an aptitude test and a skills demonstration, Williams was offered the apprenticeship and began working for Moog the same year he graduated from BOCES. Three years of subsequent on-the-job training led to Williams becoming a tried-and-true machine repair technician, helping maintain the uptime for manufacturing equipment.

“I love being challenged by my work and having the opportunity for constant growth,” he said. “Five years into working there, I’m still constantly impressed when our team is always able to find a solution and deliver.”