Warriors at Work

Another moldmaking industry supporter reaches out to help our veterans. Thanks to the entrustment of four new CNC machines by Haas Automation, Workshops for Warriors increased its class sizes by 300 percent. Pictured standing from left to right, Long Huynh, W for W CEO Hernán Luis y Prado, Tom Chandler, Zac Dinsmore, Clifford White, Thomas Alvarez, James Hebner. Pictured kneeling from left to right, Frank Anicoche, Shayne Schuppert, James Moreno Jr.

In support of Workshops for Warriors (WfW), the Gene Haas Foundation has offered a matching grant of up to $100,000 to increase support of veteran training. According to Haas, in 2012, the Gene Haas Foundation contributed $60,000 to the organization to support veteran training.

Workshops for Warriors, a San Diego nonprofit, matches the need for workers with veterans’ needs for employment by providing free training and certification in manufacturing trade skills.

They deliver programs with no federal, state or municipal funding. WfW founder and CEO Hernán Luis y Prado says, “Support from organizations like the Gene Haas Foundation allows us to run local training programs of national significance.” Through its programs, veterans can complete eight-week certification courses in welding, machining and fabrication.

Workshops for Warriors also operates a full-service facility that provides students with an opportunity to gain practical work experience in a real-world environment. Haas Automation has entrusted four CNC (computer numerical control) machines to Workshops for Warriors, which are used for training students in the newly named Haas Technical Education Center. The machines are valued at more than $440,000.

In the past 12 months, Workshops for Warriors has trained and certified 73 graduates from welding and machining classes.The students have already earned 157 certificates. Classes for spring began January 28, with 70 veterans enrolled.