Spring 2018

Michael Warigi

Kenya-born Michael Warigi is achieving his dream of being a manufacturing programmer.​

Michael Warigi has traveled a long way to become a student in Fox Valley Technical College’s Automated Manufacturing Systems Technology (AMS) program. “I was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and came to Wisconsin to be with my brother,” states the 48-year-old. “Nestlé hired me as an assembly-line operator at its Little Chute plant.”

After starting at FVTC, Warigi was promoted to team leader on the night shift at Nestlé. In this role, Warigi supervises a group of 10 people. “I make sure we reach production goals and am responsible for troubleshooting basic coding problems,” he says. “My Fox Valley Tech programming courses have been a big help at work.”

Warigi notes that all manufacturing today is technology-based. “When you understand the processes, you can easily check and troubleshoot problems,” he says. “My supervisor told me that he is impressed with what I can do. I owe that compliment to the college and the AMS program.”

Becoming an automation programmer is currently Warigi’s short-term career goal. “The AMS program gives you a broad range of skills needed to succeed in today’s advanced manufacturing field,” he states. “The classes are rigorous, but the instructors are exceptional. They are knowledgeable on the latest industry technologies.”

Warigi is going to school part-time while working full-time. “I should graduate in May of 2018,” he says. “I plan to continue my education because technology is the future of manufacturing, and the more you know, the more you succeed.”

Quick Fact: 

$70,000 = average annual salary for grads of FVTC’s Automated Manufacturing Systems Technology program after five years in the workforce

2017 FVTC Graduate Employment Research Report