F a l l 2 0 1 7 • S T U F F 1 5
Y O U N G FA C E S O F M A N U FA C T U R I N G
Adam Lagassie, setup technician at Technical Industries
Inc., wears hard work, dedication and on-the-job experience
like a badge of honor, proudly exclaiming the formula for
success in manufacturing is simple: Hard work plus grit
provides vocational satisfaction and financial security.
"I woke up one morning and realized I wasn't happy. So,
I quit my job at Taco Bell and started working for a local
manufacturing company as a temp-to-hire," said Adam.
"I had the lowest job you could get, but I was willing to learn.
I also noticed that there was a need for skilled workers."
It took Adam less than four years to double his starting pay
– without any formal education. And his hard work and on-
the-job education landed him his current job at Technical
Industries, a company he says continues to generously invest
in his education.
"Talent is so scarce that companies will actually bid on you,
out paying competitors in order to retain you. You can go
anywhere when you work in this industry; it's a steady,
reliable profession … period."
Adam, whose job includes dealing with real-time processing
issues, says getting your foot in the door is the biggest step.
"Find a role that you find interesting and then work hard.
Put in the hours and communicate with your superiors about
your goals."
FUN
FACT
Adam's friends and family
commonly refer to him as a "robot
doctor" because his job requires
him to quickly fix the machines if
their processing alarms go off.
Adam Lagassie
AGE: 25
TITLE: Setup Technician
COMPANY: Technical
Industries, Inc.
LOCATION: Torrington
RESIDENCE: Winsted
EDUCATION: High School
Diploma
SALARY: $25 an hour
