September 17, 2026
Xavier Tackett took the Future Plans assessment as a “senior without a plan.” Like a lot of students in that position, he wasn’t sure what came next—until his assessment and coaching pointed him toward an interest in welding. He enrolled in the summer GRIT welding program, graduated, completed two certifications, and stepped straight into the field.
The change in Xavier didn’t go unnoticed. His stepdad, Jerry Burgett, was already working in welding himself, but without certifications behind him, he was earning far less than he could have been. When GRIT bootcamps opened up, Jerry didn’t hesitate—he signed up to become part of the Future Plans family too.
Since then, both Xavier and Jerry have gone on to complete three more certifications each, and both are now earning significantly more than before.
What started as one young man figuring out his next step turned into something bigger: a family building better careers side by side. Future Plans and GRIT are proud to have been part of that journey—proof that these programs aren’t just for students without direction. They’re for everyone ready to take the next step, at any stage of their career.
