Tis’ the season of giving, and this holiday TSE would like to share how programs within the state of Florida are giving back to the manufacturing industry. We have partnered with two organizations that do so much for us as a company and the community as a whole.
Florida’s Growing Manufacturing Industry
Many don’t realize that Florida ranks in the nation’s top 10 states for manufacturing, with more than 18,000 manufacturers and over 317,000 workers*. We aren’t just palm trees, oranges, and Mickey Mouse. The Tampa Bay area, which is home to TSE Industries, has the largest concentration of manufacturers in the state. However, Florida’s manufacturing companies are struggling with a shortage of skilled workers.
Building Careers Through AmSkills
TSE Human Resources Director Michelle Hintz is interviewed.
That’s why TSE has chosen to partner with AmSkills.Their mission is to strengthen Tampa Bay communities through workforce training and apprenticeship opportunities for adults and Veterans. This creates a direct pipeline of skilled candidates who have received hands-on training for high-demand manufacturing careers. Since its partnership with AmSkills began in 2018, TSE has welcomed 11 graduates from their training programs into its family. Our Human Resources Director actively spreads the word to other manufacturers in the Tampa Bay area. She and her team at TSE regularly attend workshops and boot camps to discuss the benefits of partnering with AmSkills. Their goal is to show companies how this collaboration provides a continuous supply of talented workers.
AmSkills graduate and TSE employee Michael Kavin.
TSE has hired more graduates from AmSkills than any other company. Because of this, Pinellas County invited TSE to be featured in a video highlighting AmSkills’ Talent Pipeline Management Collaborative. This is a win-win for both TSE and AmSkills. The video will be shown at an upcoming Pinellas County Commissioners event to promote the program’s success and encourage other manufacturers to get involved.
In the video, four TSE employees share their experiences. Their stories range from a homeless Veteran who had fallen on hard times to a young adult with a troubled past. Each of them completed a manufacturing boot camp, developed transferable skills, and secured jobs at TSE. They are living proof that AmSkills’ training programs work—and that companies are ready and willing to hire, even during a pandemic.
Florida’s Growing Manufacturing Industry
TSE’s work with the community continues through its partnership with Pepin Academy, which introduces individuals with mild learning disabilities to the world of manufacturing. The Academy’s goal is to create an environment where individuals with cognitive challenges can maximize their potential in a positive, therapeutic space. This helps them prepare for everyday social and emotional challenges with confidence. TSE is the first manufacturing company to build an alliance with Pepin. Through this partnership, adult students gain valuable workplace skills. So far, TSE has welcomed two Pepin students and their coach into the TSE family, with many more to come!
Tis’ the Season of Giving
We are so grateful for these two organizations and the opportunities they bring to the Tampa Bay community. Thanks to their programs, 13 individuals have been given the chance to build successful careers at TSE. Being involved in these programs is rewarding for TSE as well. We encourage every company to seek out organizations like AmSkills and Pepin in their own communities. They depend on us, just as we depend on them.
*According to the Florida Economic Development Council
