Xander Knezovich is a student in Milton’s Computer Numeric Control Technician program. Originally from Necedah, he moved to Evansville while in high school to live with his dad and graduated this year from Evansville High School.
Xander is the recipient of a scholarship through his employer, Baker Manufacturing Company, in Evansville. He started at Baker in June after graduation and worked full-time over the summer. He’s now part-time while attending classes at Blackhawk.
Baker’s fully-paid scholarship is for a two-year technical diploma in Blackhawk’s CNC Technician program. Going forward, Baker plans to offer two scholarships every spring.
Xander credits his fascination with machinery as something that drew him to the program, and .the scholarship enabled him to get a two-year degree earlier than he had planned.
“At this point, the scholarship is my future,” he said. “Once I graduate, it will open so many opportunities for later in life.”
Dulcyann Smith, Human Resources Manager at Baker, said the scholarship came about as the company’s management team was looking forward, preparing for retirements and attrition.
“By putting students through school and allowing them to work part-time and gain experience with us at the same time, it helps us increase our talent pool and prepare for and replace our long-term team members as they retire,” Smith said.
Baker believes the scholarships they offer open up an important career path for graduating seniors. They plan to educate students at about a dozen area high schools about Blackhawk’s CNC Technician program.
“We are so, so proud of Xander and so excited for his educational and career journey,” Smith said. “We are so happy to be part of molding and helping him grow.”
Beyond skills he’ll learn in the program itself, Xander also hopes to learn more about himself and who he is to become the person he wants to be.
Regarding Blackhawk, Xander likes the friendly and helpful staff and believes potential students should definitely give it a shot.
“It is so much better than high school and they want you to achieve your goals,” he said.
Once he finishes the two-year program, Xander plans on staying at Baker and make a career out of it.