Tennessee Tech Expands Manufacturing Career Pathways Through Hands-On Training

Manufacturing careers require more than classroom knowledge. Workers must understand how materials behave, how products are designed, and how to identify problems before they affect quality. A new workforce training initiative at Tennessee Tech University aims to help more people develop those skills while giving regional manufacturers a stronger pool of potential employees.

Tennessee Tech has received a $434,204 grant through the Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, led by IACMI, The Composites Institute. The funding will expand practical training opportunities through the university’s Center for Manufacturing Research, connecting students, educators, and working professionals with the processes used in modern metal manufacturing.

Rather than relying solely on classroom instruction, the program gives participants direct experience with metal casting and forging. Training covers computer-aided design, pattern making, tooling, quality control, heat treatment, and metal testing. Participants learn how a design becomes a physical product and how to evaluate the finished casting for accuracy and defects.

The training combines eight hours of online instruction with 32 hours of hands-on learning. Adults who complete the program will earn an industry-recognized certification, giving them a practical credential as they explore manufacturing careers or build on existing experience.

The initiative responds to a challenge facing manufacturers: finding workers who already understand the fundamentals of specialized production processes. Tennessee Tech reports that local manufacturers have identified vacancies and expressed interest in candidates with a basic understanding of metal casting and forging. Developing that knowledge before workers enter the job can help businesses reduce training demands while preparing employees for more technical responsibilities.

The university plans to offer 12 boot camps over the next two years, building on a program that trained 61 participants in 2025. The grant also supports outreach with K-12 schools and community colleges, including Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology partners in Hartsville and the Upper Cumberland. These connections introduce more people to manufacturing and help make technical career pathways visible earlier in their education.

For the Upper Cumberland, efforts like this strengthen the connection between education and employment. Workforce Connections supports regional employers through workforce development services, including assistance with training strategies and apprenticeship opportunities. By helping businesses build talent and workers gain relevant skills, these efforts contribute to a more prepared and adaptable local workforce.

As manufacturing evolves, hands-on learning and employer-informed training will remain important to helping people access careers and helping businesses find the talent they need.