Kieran Harris' great-grandfather was the first of four generations to work at Port Talbot's steelworks.
Now Kieran, 18, is doing an apprenticeship with Tata Steel, which has announced 2,800 jobs cuts, with most expected to be in Port Talbot.
He said he's worried for the community but still optimistic there will be job opportunities at the site.
The chairman of the Swansea Bay City region urged young people to "stick with us" despite "devastating" cuts.
Kieran has already spent a short time working at the coke ovens at Tata, which he "really enjoyed", before he started his mechanical engineering apprenticeship.
He's following in the footsteps of several family members including his father and uncle. "It's been in my family the whole time I've known," he said.
He said the news about job losses was "very nerve wracking" and a huge blow to the area.
However, due to his non-production apprenticeship, he hopes his role will not be affected by the announced cuts.
"I'm quite optimistic that with the community, we can pull through the hard times and hopefully see out the brighter side when we can produce green steel and everybody can have a job," he said.
