“Working with these vehicles and doing these conversions for handicapped individuals, it’s been nice,” Henderson, who resides in Huntington, said. “I’ve seen a few of them picking up their vehicle, and to see the look on their face, and their reaction, it’s kind of tear-jerking.”
Henderson lost his job at United Technologies Electronic Controls in Huntington in 2017 after 15 years of service at the manufacturer. The company’s decision to ship operations to Mexico left him and roughly 700 other employees out of work.
In the year between the announcement and the actual closing, Henderson began researching high-demand jobs before settling on an automotive technology program at Ivy Tech. One of the resources he turned to was Indiana Career Connect, a state-operated online portal providing workforce services and tools to help connect jobseekers and employers.
To help pay for his schooling, Henderson also sought out the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). TAA assists workers who have lost their jobs due to foreign trade, and anyone affected can seek help at their local WorkOne center.
“Transferring from United Technologies, going to school, and now finding my new job has definitely been a big improvement,” Henderson said. “I’m making more money now than what I was at United Technologies, and it’s put me in a better situation than going into another factory that could have high risk for leaving the country.”
Hoosiers like Henderson may be eligible for TAA benefits when: companies move production or services outside of the country; increased foreign imports negatively affect business; or the company is a supplier or producer to a firm that has received a positive TAA certification.
TAA assists workers who have lost their jobs due to foreign trade, and those impacted, with a favorable TAA determination by the US Dept of Labor, can seek help at their local WorkOne center.
TAA-affected workers can take advantage of a slew of services. They include:
- Classroom and on-the-job training, with tuition, books and related fees fully paid;
- Income support benefits of up to 104 weeks if enrolled in a full-time training program and have exhausted unemployment benefits;
- Reimbursement for costs of seeking or, relocating for, employment outside of worker’s commuting area;
- Wage subsidy of up to $10,000 or two years, whichever comes first, for older workers who accept new employment that pays less than their previous wage; and
- Tax credit covering 72.5% of monthly insurance premium administered by the IRS for qualified health care plans.
Henderson served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force, from 1987 to 1997, specializing in aircraft maintenance, which undoubtedly helped him excel in Ivy Tech’s automotive technology program.
He then spent four years at Gateway Computers in Hampton, Virginia, before returning to Indiana in 2002 and landing his job at United Technologies.
“After 15 years and long hours, my nerves were wearing thin,” Henderson said. “But now, I don’t have to work near as long to obtain that money, which is nice, (thanks to the TAA benefits made available to me).”
Watch a short video on Kristopher Henderson: https://youtu.be/CytBDLoa6Qk
Click here to view more episodes in the 20 in 2020 series.
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