Northeast State welcomed Tommy Lane of Snap-on Tools Elizabethton to its apprenticeship program during an official signing ceremony on April 26.
Lane, of Jonesborough, represents the newest apprentice to join the program sponsored by the College’s Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM). He enters the CNC Machinist apprenticeship path. Lane follows on the heels of fellow Snap-on associate Brian Bailiff who signed with the program in May 2021.
RCAM established the Registered Apprenticeship Program through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship in 2017. The program allows RCAM to provide the structure and processes for employers to take advantage of the DOL’s apprenticeship workforce development model.
Per all apprenticeship nominees, Lane moved through the testing and interview process before his acceptance into the program.
“We appreciate our partnership with Snap-on and its importance for the company and the region,” said RCAM Executive Director Heath McMillian. “The apprenticeship is the most effective workforce development model in the world. It’s effective because structured on-the-job training ensures that employees meet the competencies that employers require. That’s what makes it sustainable.”
Snap-on Tools Elizabethton recently celebrated Tommy Lane’s (seated) apprenticeship signing with Northeast State. Standing left to right: Jon Carley, plant manager; David Bellessa, operations manager; Robin Pritchard, Human Resources manager; and Ben Larkin, rapid continuous improvement manager.
Lane has worked at Snap-on for six years and has more than 10 years of experience in machining. He said his inspiration for machining as a career was owed to a high school instructor who was a journeyman tool and die maker.
“He showed me how machining works, the kinds of things you can do and make, and the places it can take your career,” Lane said. “I’ve always wanted to be a journeyman, and I’m excited about the opportunity. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this point.”
Northeast State and Snap-on Tools came together in December 2019 to sign the first registered apprenticeship agreement between the College and the company. An associate entering the program must meet minimum levels within WorkKeys assessments, abide by the standards of the signed apprenticeship agreement, and demonstrate progress on the job.
The Elizabethton Snap-on manufacturing facility employs more than 400 people dedicated to producing hand tools sold worldwide. As an Authorized Training Agent, Snap-on agrees to rotate apprentices in the various processes of the skilled occupation, pay apprentice(s) the percentage of journey wage rate, and evaluate the progress of apprentices before they advance in position. An employer’s master craft professionals also mentor apprentices as they continue moving forward in expertise.
“Right from the start, we recognized Tommy’s skills and knew we wanted to leverage them,” said Jon Carley, Snap-on Elizabethton plant manager. “He’s going to do well.”
Carley said associates like Lane are vital to Snap-on and its future.
“For manufacturing, skilled trades are vital,” Carley said. “We need associates like Tommy in the pipeline and to be an advocate to the younger workforce about apprenticeships. We need to continue to promote careers in skilled trades and recruit associates into those areas.”
Northeast State welcomed Tommy Lane of Snap-on Tools Elizabethton to its apprenticeship program during an official signing ceremony on April 26.
Lane, of Jonesborough, represents the newest apprentice to join the program sponsored by the College’s Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM). He enters the CNC Machinist apprenticeship path. Lane follows on the heels of fellow Snap-on associate Brian Bailiff who signed with the program in May 2021.
RCAM established the Registered Apprenticeship Program through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship in 2017. The program allows RCAM to provide the structure and processes for employers to take advantage of the DOL’s apprenticeship workforce development model.
Per all apprenticeship nominees, Lane moved through the testing and interview process before his acceptance into the program.
“We appreciate our partnership with Snap-on and its importance for the company and the region,” said RCAM Executive Director Heath McMillian. “The apprenticeship is the most effective workforce development model in the world. It’s effective because structured on-the-job training ensures that employees meet the competencies that employers require. That’s what makes it sustainable.”
Lane has worked at Snap-on for six years and has more than 10 years of experience in machining. He said his inspiration for machining as a career was owed to a high school instructor who was a journeyman tool and die maker.
“He showed me how machining works, the kinds of things you can do and make, and the places it can take your career,” Lane said. “I’ve always wanted to be a journeyman, and I’m excited about the opportunity. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this point.”
Northeast State and Snap-on Tools came together in December 2019 to sign the first registered apprenticeship agreement between the College and the company. An associate entering the program must meet minimum levels within WorkKeys assessments, abide by the standards of the signed apprenticeship agreement, and demonstrate progress on the job.
The Elizabethton Snap-on manufacturing facility employs more than 400 people dedicated to producing hand tools sold worldwide. As an Authorized Training Agent, Snap-on agrees to rotate apprentices in the various processes of the skilled occupation, pay apprentice(s) the percentage of journey wage rate, and evaluate the progress of apprentices before they advance in position. An employer’s master craft professionals also mentor apprentices as they continue moving forward in expertise.
“Right from the start, we recognized Tommy’s skills and knew we wanted to leverage them,” said Jon Carley, Snap-on Elizabethton plant manager. “He’s going to do well.”
Carley said associates like Lane are vital to Snap-on and its future.
“For manufacturing, skilled trades are vital,” Carley said. “We need associates like Tommy in the pipeline and to be an advocate to the younger workforce about apprenticeships. We need to continue to promote careers in skilled trades and recruit associates into those areas.”
To learn more about available apprenticeship opportunities, visit the RCAM website at https://manufacturingfuture.net/.
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