SAN DIEGO — Workshops for Warriors (WFW), a nonprofit school providing Veterans free training and nationally recognized industry credentials in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) programming, computer numeric controlled (CNC) machining and welding, announced a new partnership with Johnston Companies.
Johnston Companies — a family owned, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) distributor that serves manufacturers in aerospace, automotive/rail transportation, woodworking, fabricators and machine shop industries — contributed $10,000 toward the program last week and has pledged to contribute $100,000 over four years to help support WFW training programs and scholarships for the Veteran students.
“We have a current waitlist of more than 500 veterans seeking entrance into our program. This donation would be a big boost to one of them wanting to help to fund their ability to undertake this life-changing educational experience. We’re extremely grateful for this scholarship,” said Hernán Luis y Prado, Founder of Workshops for Warriors.
“With nearly 50 years in the industrial supply business, we are trusted by companies large and small for our high-quality products, with solutions based service and ability to find significant cost savings for our valued customers,” said Johnston Companies CEO and President, Susie Johnston Fox. “Supporting organizations like Workshops for Warriors is inherent to our culture that began with my father’s service in the United States Air Force. We look forward to developing a long-standing relationship with this great school.”
Left to Right: Workshops for Warriors Director of Development John Jones, CEO and President of Johnston Companies Susie Johnston Fox, and Workshops for Warriors CEO and Founder Hernán Luis y Prado receiving a $10,000 check from Johnston Companies to support WFW advanced manufacturing training programs.Founded in 2008, WFW offers classes in Advanced CNC Manufacturing, CAD/CAM programming, advanced welding/fabrication, and machinery repair. Between 2011 and 2016, WFW has trained and certified 338 Veterans, with a combined 1,400 nationally recognized third-party credentials. In 2015, 94 percent of their graduates obtained jobs in advanced manufacturing after completing their programs. The school solves two systemic economic issues: rebuilding America’s advanced manufacturing infrastructure and providing a nationally scalable and repeatable model to train, certify, and ensure transitioning service members and Veterans obtain careers in advanced manufacturing.
The initial $10,000 contribution was made on Wednesday, January 18 at an official ceremony featuring Fox and Luis y Prado during Johnston Companies’ annual company meeting held at Big Cedar Lodge, located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Missouri.
The mission of Workshops for Warriors, a 501(c)3 nonprofit school, is to provide a nationally scalable and repeatable platform to deliver quality training, STEM educational programs, and opportunities to earn third-party nationally recognized credentials to enable Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and other students to be successfully trained and placed in their chosen advanced manufacturing career field. More information is available at www.wfwusa.org.
