News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A tool and die apprenticeship program might be available to Upper Cumberland students in the future.
Kaitlin Salyer is the Coordinator of Workforce Development and Education for the Highland’s Economic Partnership (HEP). She said the program will help meet the needs of employers across the region.
“Based on the conversations we’ve had around the table and through surveys that get sent out to employers across the Upper Cumberland, they have expressed the need for this particular program,” Salyer said. “That’s why this committee is now moving forward to determine if and how we can meet those needs.”
HEP’s Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Committee has voted to design a curriculum and on-site training requirements for the program. Tennessee College of Applied Technology President Myra West said employers and post-secondary officials will meet next month to begin designs.
“This will be for manufacturing employers who are interested in going to the next step in tool and die,” West said. “At that meeting, we will discuss the specific skill sets that these employers are looking for.”
West said potential classes would be held at TCAT and other community colleges across the region.
“It will hopefully be available as soon as we can get the curriculum put together and identify those skill sets,” West said. “We’re looking forward to putting together a model that will serve employers and individuals that have an interest in pursuing a career in tool and die.”
This month’s meeting will take place February 22nd from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cookeville Higher Education Campus. Employers wanting to attend the meeting should contact the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.
