At 7 a.m. each weekday, high school seniors Jorden Brooks and Ivo Parvanov clock in at ASC Machine Tools in Spokane Valley. They spend their mornings in the saw shop, cutting raw materials for machinists, welders, and forming techs. By 11 a.m., they’re heading to school at Spokane Valley Tech (SVT). The line between student and worker is already blurred—and that’s the point.
Jorden and Ivo are among the first students hired through Manufacturing Connect—a new initiative launched by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce with funding from Career Connect Washington (CCW). Designed to give students firsthand exposure to local manufacturers, the program connects high schoolers with real-world career opportunities—and, in cases like this, their first jobs in the trades.
“Last year, our class was invited to attend ASC Machine Tools’ 75th Anniversary Celebration as a part of the Manufacturing Matters program,” said Salvatore Lorenzen, who serves as the instructor for the advanced manufacturing courses at SVT. “Jorden and Ivo both said they could see themselves working there [at ASC] after meeting some of the employees at the BBQ celebration. So I reached out to Dennis Greer Jr., the Manufacturing Manager at ASC Machine Tools, and he said he would give them a shot,” Lorenzen said.
That first impression paid off. Jordan and Ivo turned 18 in early 2024
“Sal really wanted to help us get jobs,” Jordan said. “We were in our second year at SVT, and hadn’t gotten an interview yet. So we emailed Dennis, and ASC gave us a chance and we both hold part-time jobs cutting materials for various departments in the shop.”
Now in their senior year, Jordan and Ivo were in Lorenzen’s class, working on custom design and fabrication projects to improve safety and operations at SVT. “When they turned 18, I reached out to Dennis at ASC, and he had them send over their resumes,” Lorenzen said. “He arranged interviews, and they passed their interviews and physicals and were both hired. They’ve been working there since, and every time I check in, I get positive feedback from the shop supervisor.”
For Dennis, giving students a chance is part of a larger strategy, one that ASC and many other manufacturing companies are turning to in order to build a workforce pipeline.
“It is extremely important for a student to understand what a career at a manufacturer could look like,” Greer said. “This firsthand exposure can help dispel misconceptions and highlight the diverse and rewarding opportunities available within the manufacturing sector.”
Seeing Is Believing
Designed and launched with funding from a Career Connect Washington (CCW) grant, Manufacturing Connect was built by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with local schools and manufacturers. Unlike typical field trips, this hands-on program takes students inside businesses across Spokane County, giving them an up-close view of the diverse career opportunities in today’s manufacturing sector. Designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, Manufacturing Connect helps students explore career pathways, meet potential employers, and often secure their first jobs in the trades.
Because of the industry tours, I was able to get that opportunity I wouldn't have otherwise.
Andrew Graybell, another SVT senior, found his opportunity through one of these tours. He’s now working at FabTech in Spokane Valley through a registered apprenticeship with AJAC (the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee).
“Because of the industry tours, I was able to get that opportunity I wouldn’t have otherwise,” said Graybell. “I gave my resume to Sal, he sent it to AJAC, and it got to FabTech. Within two weeks, I was hired. If I were just any high school student applying, I wouldn’t have been given this shot.”
Andrew stepped into an opening at FabTech that became available when another student moved to a different company. “Andrew is a go-getter with great attention to detail and communication skills,” Lorenzen said. “I understand he’s doing really well at FabTech, and he’s eager to learn more about manufacturing going forward.”
Now, Andrew spends his mornings on the brake press, grinding and prepping metal parts for powder coating. “At first, I was a little apprehensive because I wasn’t super good with sheet metal,” he admitted. “But once I started working with the CNC press brake, I actually really liked it.”
He also appreciates the structure of the AJAC program. “Basically, it takes the place of class. I get all the credits because I’m doing the same work I’d be doing in the shop. But now I get paid $17.50 an hour.”
Experience That Sets Students Apart
Greer says SVT students stand out in the hiring process because of the hands-on experience they bring.
“The students we hired from Spokane Valley Tech stood out because of their exposure to career manufacturing at SVT,” he said. “The fact that they already had experience operating machinery like lathes and mills at this young of an age gave them a significant advantage.”
“We learned the basics of cutting metal at SVT,” Ivo said. “The scale at work is obviously a lot bigger, but I was confident we knew enough to be useful on day one.”
At ASC, Jordan and Ivo have been given more opportunities to grow. “They’re getting a mill and lathe soon so they can train us on CNC,” Ivo said. “That’s what we’re really excited about.”
Both Ivo and Jordan plan to work full-time at ASC after graduation. Lorenzen noted that ASC will be paying for them to complete the machinist program at Spokane Community College. Ivo, already a step ahead, enrolled as a Running Start student in the newly restarted night machinist program while still finishing high school.
A Fulfilling Career Path
The draw of manufacturing isn’t just the paycheck—it’s the satisfaction of building something tangible. Greer believes more students would consider these careers if they simply knew what was possible.
“One thing I wish more young people knew is that manufacturing can be incredibly fulfilling work,” Greer said. “Especially for students who enjoy working with their hands and seeing tangible results from their efforts.”
Which is exactly why Andrew, a self-described “engineering kid” since middle school, sees his current role as a stepping stone toward a future degree.
“I’ve wanted to go into engineering for a while,” he said. “Now I’ve actually had the chance to try it out, hands-on. I like the CAD to CAM to CNC process—and someday I’d love a job where I could do the whole thing from start to finish.”
A Call to Action for Local Businesses
Programs like Manufacturing Connect don’t just benefit students—they’re an investment in the local economy. As manufacturers across Washington face growing labor shortages, these partnerships provide a sustainable way to develop talent locally.
“ASC has benefited significantly from being a tour stop,” said Greer. “Jorden expressed interest after the tour and now works here. That kind of direct engagement underscores the value of these tours and serves as a compelling reason for other companies to participate.”
For the students, the benefits are clear: real wages, real experience, and real momentum toward meaningful careers.
For the businesses, it’s a chance to shape the next generation of their workforce.
