On April 9th, the University of Tennessee’s Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) hosted an appreciation luncheon in Jackson, TN to celebrate the successful partnership between the State of Tennessee’s Office of Reentry (TOOR), the Northwest and Southwest Tennessee workforce boards, and the UT CIS Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership (TMEP).
This luncheon marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to empower justice-involved individuals through the Skills for Success - Manufacturing Program, a collaborative initiative designed to equip participants with the essential skills needed to thrive in the manufacturing sector.
The Skills for Success - Manufacturing Program, developed by and licensed from the Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Purdue MEP), provides a comprehensive 10-day boot camp for entry-level workers. Each day focuses on different essential manufacturing skills such as workplace skills, print reading, measurement, and quality tools, aimed at bridging the skills gap in the manufacturing industry. Through these workshops, participants not only acquire fundamental manufacturing skills but also earn their OSHA 10 for General Industry lifetime card and a completion of training certificate from UT CIS, enhancing their employability and safety awareness in the workplace. This multifaceted approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of modern manufacturing environments, significantly boosting their prospects for long-term career success and stability in the industry.
The success of the Skills for Success Manufacturing Program is a testament to the collective efforts of TOOR, the workforce boards, and TMEP, who have pooled their resources and expertise to make a tangible difference in the lives of program participants. To date, the Tennessee Office of Reentry has provided funding for training in 13 detention facilities in West Tennessee and 3 in East Tennessee. There are currently 2 more currently scheduled for West Tennessee detention facilities in April and June. These 13 cohorts so far have positively impacted well over 200 participants.
According to one participant, “I have benefitted from all of the topics, but I believe I've gotten the most out of learning about lean manufacturing. I knew nothing about it until this class.” And from another participant, “I enjoyed the entire course extremely well and gained knowledge that I will use continuously this day forward throughout my career.” In essence, the luncheon served as a moment of reflection and celebration, highlighting the transformative power of collaboration and education in paving the way for a brighter future for justice-involved individuals and the manufacturing industry alike.
Learn more about our Manufacturing Skills for Success program at: https://tmep.cis.tennessee.edu/manufacturing-skills-success
