10/30/2025
As we wrap up October and Manufacturing Month, we’re proud to celebrate a success story in San Diego County! GKN Aerospace is investing in its greatest asset — its people — by upskilling employees and creating pathways for growth and advancement. Through ETP funding, individuals like Joe Young are gaining the training and opportunities they need to thrive, helping to keep California’s manufacturing sector strong and competitive.
"My journey has been anything but traditional. After losing my mother at 17, I left school and began working to support myself. I eventually entered Job Corps, where I earned my GED and completed training in the bricklaying trade. That experience taught me the value of hard work and gave me the foundation to build a career. I went on to earn certifications in welding through local high schools, which opened the door for me to join the aerospace industry in 2010 as a welder at Chromalloy. Over time, I advanced to become an Electron Beam Welder and cell lead before joining GKN Aerospace in 2016.
At GKN, I started as an Electron Beam Welder and within two years became a Production Supervisor, leading multiple shifts and teams. Today, I serve as Operations Manager, responsible for overseeing production across our San Diego repair facility.
The Employment Training Panel (ETP) has been a major part of my continued growth. It connects directly to the foundation I built years ago through Job Corps and technical training — programs that taught me the value of continuous learning, discipline, and personal ownership. ETP has strengthened those same principles at a higher level, helping me refine my leadership approach, think more strategically, and focus on developing others. It’s a reminder that every stage of growth, from the trades to operations leadership, is part of one continuous journey of learning and transformation." - Joe Young, Operations Manager
