A production technician at Molson Coors Beverage Company for several years, Lena Bryant had already proven her dedication and skill on the job. But she saw a bigger opportunity ahead.
“They really need electrical technicians,” she explained. “I’ve always wanted to get into the Industrial Maintenance Technician (IMT) program, and Molson Coors’ tuition reimbursement made it possible.”
Through the company’s employee education benefit, Lena is enrolled in Butler Tech’s night IMT program, attending class before heading straight into her night shift. On her days off, she works extra hours to make up for time spent in class.
“It’s a challenge to balance work, school, and being a mom to four kids, but it will be worth it,” she said. “I want to show my kids they’re capable of whatever they want to do.”
The relationship between Butler Tech and companies like Molson Coors is a model for how employers can strengthen their workforce while giving employees the tools to grow their careers. The global beverage company, which opened its Trenton brewery in 1991, reimburses employees’ undergraduate, graduate, or executive educational expenses (including tuition, books, and mandatory fees) up to $5,250 per calendar year.
For Lena, the connection between the classroom and the workplace is immediate.
“Sometimes it’s almost eerie,” she laughed. “One day I learned about Lovejoy couplings in class, and that same night I had to replace one at work.”
Her favorite part of the program is the hands-on labs, like the rotating machines lab, where students wire and test motors, and the robotics training that mirrors the material-handling robots used at Molson Coors. “It’s immersive and real-world. The instructors are knowledgeable, and the community here is so supportive,” she said.
As a woman in a male-dominated field, Lena is driven to prove that skill and determination matter above all else. “If you’re knowledgeable and have the skills, you can excel,” she said. “What fuels me is being the best at what I do.”
When she graduates, Lena’s goal is to join the Packaging Equipment Specialist team at Molson Coors. With her determination, industry-aligned training, and the backing of a company that invests in its people, that goal is well within reach.
“We are very proud of Lena and what she is accomplishing,” said her supervisor at Molson Coors, Marc Messerschmitt. “One of our core values at Molson Coors is to ‘learn every day,’ and the work Lena is putting in hopefully inspires other people at the Trenton brewery to take advantage of the opportunity to further their education.”
Lena’s story is more than one employee’s success. It’s proof that when companies invest in their workforce, they build loyalty, talent, and a stronger future. For Lena, it’s a reminder that with opportunity, hard work, and a clear vision, the next level is always possible.