Chemring and TCAT Form Partnership for Apprenticeship Program
In partnership with Chemring Countermeasures, TCAT Jackson – Whiteville Branch Campus hosted an Apprenticeship Signing Day on Friday, March 17, 2023, for 19 students pursuing careers in industrial maintenance.
“Thank you Chemring for what this does for our county,” said Hardeman County Mayor Todd Pulse. “It was mentioned that the people were really the backbone of any company. The greatest asset a company has is of course the workers. I will add to that, the greatest asset that our county has is the workers, the people. That is the very foundation. What is going on today is the building on that foundation. I am very proud of these young men and this young lady. We are hoping more companies will join in on the programs.”
Each student in the three-year apprenticeship program will earn a Registered Apprenticeship license through Apprenticeship Tennessee and the Tennessee Workforce Development System, and a Certificate of Completion from Tennessee College of Applied Technology. The expected graduation date for the student apprentices is March 2026.
“The apprenticeship program is going to impact the lives of so many Tennesseans and we are just excited that it is taking place right here in Whiteville,” said Town of Whiteville Mayor Gene Bowden who also expressed his appreciation for the Chemring Countermeasures and TCAT Jackson – Whiteville Branch partnership.
While in the Apprenticeship program, all the students will be employed with Chemring Countermeasures in Toone, Tennessee.
“The only way to solve (the skills gap) is through people working together to create clear pathways for our students. And there is no better way to provide a clear pathway than through apprenticeship,” said TCAT Jackson Interim President Heath McMillian who also thanked Chemring for investing in their employees and for their commitment to workforce development in this region.
Picture courtesy of TCAT Jackson – Whiteville.
Special guests at the signing also Chemring General Manager Brenda Walker, Senior Asset Reliability Manager William Taylor, West Tennessee Regional Apprenticeship Director Shalondria Shaw, TCAT faculty and staff, local partnership organizations, and family and friends of the apprentices.
The student apprentices who attended the signing are Dustin Alexander, Jonathan Baker, Jeremy Brooks, Ron Bunner, Dale Elrod, Mark Gibson, Corey Hampton, Prient Harris, Trevor Hopper, Tyreke Ivory, Dakota Johnson, Terry Marbry, Colton Mitchell, Cody Mills, Jimmy Montgomery, Patrick Perry, Crystal Phillips, Anthony Rieger, and Troy Thomas.
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