Two hundred forty-five dollars was the difference between getting certified and staying on the sidelines for Robert Hambrick. 

The Madison County High School senior wanted to follow his dad into forklift work, but the cost of training stood in the way, then HireSmart Cares covered the $245 fee for a one-day certification class at Athens Technical College. 

“It was really fun because I got to do something that more than likely I wouldn’t have been able to do if I didn’t get the grant,” said Robert. 

Without the support, he’s not sure he would have taken the class. 

“I don’t think I would have,” he said. “It’s just like the money part of that equation.” 

Robert’s dad drives a forklift for a company in Jefferson, and that exposure sparked his interest in the field. 

“My dad, he’s the one that got me into doing forklifts and all that,” said Robert. 

The 18-year-old had no prior experience, but the Athens Tech instructor walked him through the basics during the day-long session that ran from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

“The first couple hours we were inside going over PowerPoints, taking notes,” said Robert. “And then he had me training on the forklift. He was teaching me which way to go right, which way to go left.” 

The practical portion involved maneuvering pallets in a specific sequence, and Robert said the key lessons were straightforward. 

“It was really just remembering like looking when you’re backing up and just keeping everything clear,” he said. 

He left with his “basic forklift operator” certification in hand and something less tangible but equally valuable. 

“It made it feel less like an ‘out there’ kind of thing and more like I’ve already done this, and I feel more confident,” said Robert. “Once you realize you could do it, it’s like, ‘Oh, I can do that.’ And then it’s just like right there.” 

Robert said he enjoyed the work and is already thinking about his next steps. He’s considering starting part-time at the Amazon facility where his grandmother works after graduation. 

“I feel like it’s really possible that I could [get a forklift job] because I really enjoyed doing it,” he said. “I was looking at the Amazon thing just for part time after I get out of high school, just like slowly work up like hours and credibility to actually get like a bigger forklifting job.” 

HireSmart Cares provides grants, scholarships, and funding for job skills initiatives to help young people like Robert develop careers without taking on college debt. The nonprofit focuses on removing barriers — whether that’s work boots, training fees, or travel costs — that keep students from gaining job-ready skills. 

For Robert, that $245 investment opened a door to a career path he can see himself pursuing, following in his dad’s footsteps with the credentials to back it up. 

To suggest how HireSmart can help more young people like Robert find a path to success, email info@hiresmartcares.org. To read more about HireSmart Cares, visit hiresmartcares.org.