My name is Landon Hudson, and my apprenticeship journey started in an unconventional
way. My primary caretaker, my grandmother, passed away unexpectedly in July of 2022. Before her
death, she instilled in me that my academic commitment would be the means to escaping the
stark reality of being another statistic. I graduated from high school with honors the following year.
Rather than viewing these circumstances as debilitating, I chose to see them as an opportunity to
grow.
Outside of class, I spent much of my time in my schools career counselors office, seeking
direction and opportunity. During one of many visits, she informed me of an opportunity to tour
Hago Automotive. I attended and toured the facility with a group from my school, where I made
connections with department management and excitedly submitted my application to the
program. After two interviews, I became a part of the Hago Automotive industrial maintenance
department as an apprentice.
The following week after graduation, I began my first day at Hago Automotive. I was offered
work throughout the summer before I started college the following fall. From the beginning, I was
surrounded by highly trained and skilled technicians, who challenged me to learn and refine new
skills each day. I worked evening shift full time while attending college classes twice a week in the
mornings after my first year. In May 2025, I graduated with my associates degree in Industrial
Maintenance. I will graduate again in May 2026 for my Electrical Technology associates degree.
Through this apprenticeship program, I have been able to rewrite my future. In three years
with Hago, I have assisted in the installation of four machines, from initial setup in crates to full
part production. I have developed hands on experience with pneumatics, hydraulics, and
advanced electrical systems, as well as the ability to interpret industrial schematics. I have learned
this by being exposed to all of these systems daily. Through my time with Hago, I have been able to
develop needed confidence and skills to work on any machine. My apprenticeship at Hago has
allowed me to learn real-world hands-on knowledge with a strong educational background to pair,
while reinforcing values of resilience and continuous learning.