For K’Niyah White, painting for Day & Zimmermann hits a sweet spot, offering room for creativity alongside a steady and focused work pace. Her journey to a career in the skilled trades began with a summer program at Paul D. Camp Community College, which she was able to enroll in right after graduating from high school.
Rather than spending her summer days cooped up in the classroom, White and her classmates trained directly on active job sites, gaining industry exposure and knowledge from day one. Before stepping onto these active jobsites, she and her classmates had to pass an entry assessment — a standard step to ensure safety awareness and build trust with local employers.
A Summer of Active Learning
White’s program was rigorous, packed with early mornings and heavy studying. Over the course of just a few months, she trained across four key areas:
- Painting and coating
- Insulation
- Rigging
- Crane operations
Covering all of that ground gave her a solid foundation — as well as the confidence to jump right into the workforce after finishing her coursework.
“I got to work kind of immediately after doing all of the classes, and it wasn’t a hard process,” White said. “Honestly, I like the painting. It’s fun, makes you seem creative, and it’s laid back.”
A Strong Start at Day & Zimmermann
White first joined Day & Zimmermann as a painter helper. In the role, she works alongside seasoned crew members, picking up new skills while also learning to work more independently.
By pairing her summer training at Paul D. Camp with on-the-job coaching, White was able to fast-track from a high school diploma to a hands-on career.
Programs like FastForward help students to build practical trade skills and step directly into the workforce. Learn more about training programs here.