Kayla Homme, left, hugs Carson City Library Director Sena Loyd after receiving her Manufacturing Technician Level 1 certificate during a brief ceremony at the library in Carson City, Nev., on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. Homme is one of the first three graduates from the library's accelerated program.
As more manufacturing businesses have moved to Northern Nevada, including Tesla in Storey County, Kayla Homme, 22, adjusted her career focus.
“I saw that opportunity,” she said. “I think it’s something like 70 percent men, so I figured as a woman I’d have a better chance.”
When she saw the Carson City Library was offering a training certification course, she enrolled. Classes began in August, and she was one of three in the first graduating class recognized Thursday evening. Two others are still waiting to take the exam.
“It was a lot of work, but I learned a lot in a short amount of time,” Homme said. “It was good.”
Already, she has interviewed for a job with Tesla. She made it to the final round of interviews and is awaiting final results.
Sena Loyd, library director, counted the course as a success.
“We did all of this within eight weeks,” she said. “The students were very studious. They were passionate and excited about the opportunity.”
The idea for the Manufacturing Technician Level 1 certification training course was born during a meeting of community leaders, including the governor’s office, as part of Nevada’s Working Capital initiative.
It was funded through a Library Services Technology Act grant. Students enrolled in courses at Western Nevada College can receive the Manufacturing Technician Level 1 certification training along with their regular studies, or those interested can take the course at the library.
An informational session for the next course will be held 9-11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Carson City Library, 901 N. Roop St. The class will begin Nov. 1 and run through Jan. 31.
“When people are determined enough and given the opportunity to succeed, they will succeed,” Loyd said. “We have several interested manufacturers so there are opportunities out there for our students.”
Ray Bacon, executive director of the Nevada Manufacturers Association, said hosting the program at the library — the only one in the nation to do so — is a way to make it available to all ages and all walks of life.
“It opens it up to everybody,” he said.
And it lets the employers know exactly what skill sets applicants have.
“It brings something that is recognized nationally and is consistent,” Bacon said. “It levels the playing field.”