A 2018 graduate from Punxsutawney Area High School, Kolton found his career path from his experience with BotsIQ. Kolton joined the team after he came to the Finals Competition on his school’s spirit bus in 8th grade.
As a member of Punxsutawney’s BotsIQ team for four years, Kolton says, “BotsIQ made me want to start a job in manufacturing. So I went and got hired.” In June before his senior year, Kolton started working for Jefferson Machine doing cleanup around the shop; then in January, they started him working with the machines.
From his BotsIQ team interview the year before, Kolton learned about the Manufacturing 2000 (M2K) short term machinist training program at New Century Careers and decided he wanted to get more experience on the lathe and advance within the company. Since graduating, Kolton applied and was accepted into the M2K program and drives to Pittsburgh from Punxsutawney twice a week to attend evening classes, while continuing to work with Jefferson Machine.
Upon completion of M2K, Kolton will earn at least a Level II training certificate from New Century Careers and at least two National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) credentials.