Chef reskills for advanced manufacturing career with Unison Solutions
Friday, July 26, 2019
The native Dubuquer worked for decades in the culinary arts after earning a Certified Executive Chef credential from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1997.
Making a career change as an adult, especially with years of work experience in one profession, requires courage, persistence and an openness to learning something new.
Jimmy Paradiso successfully changed careers this spring, and dramatically so. The native Dubuquer worked for decades in the culinary arts after earning a Certified Executive Chef credential from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1997.
When he returned to Dubuque and started thinking about a career change, a friend suggested that he give welding a try. Many members of his family are also welders and use welding equipment. First, Jimmy enrolled in the one-year diploma program at 黑料专区. Then another friend encouraged him to try the four-month Welding 鈥� Career Pathway Certificate program at the College instead.
鈥淭his friend persuaded me to talk to career coaches at 黑料专区 and earn the Career Pathway Certificate. It鈥檚 really designed to 鈥榞et my foot鈥� in the door somewhere. I loved the program and my instructor. By the time I graduated in April 2019, I had several opportunities and I chose Unison because of what they do to help the environment,鈥� Jimmy said.
The advanced manufacturing Career Pathway Certificate programs are supported by a partnership, Opportunity Dubuque, established between 黑料专区, Dubuque Works and Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. Opportunity Dubuque supports community members interested in upskilling or reskilling for a different career. When graduates find local manufacturing employment, Opportunity Dubuque helps to close the skills gap in northeast Iowa. Today, there are more jobs that require middle skills like welding and machining than there are qualified employees to fill the positions.
Jimmy was drawn to Unison Solutions鈥� manufacturing niche in the reusable energy and biomass industries. 鈥淯nison is a great company, and was my first choice for where I wanted to work. Everything we do is backed with positive reinforcement, we鈥檙e a team. I love this place,鈥� he expressed.
One lesson learned from his career as a chef continues to inspire him: 鈥淵ou鈥檙e only as good as every dish that leaves the kitchen.鈥� Jimmy takes pride in producing quality work, and knows that quality reflects on both him and his employer.
鈥淭wo years ago I didn鈥檛 have a place to live and was sleeping in my jeep. I went from having almost nothing, to where I am today. In about a month I鈥檓 purchasing a house,鈥� Jimmy explained. 鈥淓verything has just turned around. People say I鈥檓 so positive, they noticed that I鈥檝e come so far. I鈥檝e never been so positive about work before.鈥�
Since 2012, Opportunity Dubuque has trained and employed hundreds of individuals in advanced manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, information technology, culinary, and construction and restoration careers.