Creating a Workforce Pipeline

TSE has been actively involved in the Tampa Bay community, partnering with organizations that promote the benefits of starting a career in manufacturing. To celebrate Manufacturing Month last October, we chose two groups creating a vital pipeline of job candidates for Bay area businesses.

By planting the manufacturing seed early, the Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA) diligently works with local schools to spark kids’ interest in manufacturing careers. Together with BAMA, we joined the Great American “Manufacturing” Teach-In Day via Zoom with Pinellas County classes near TSE’s headquarters. The students asked great questions about cryogenic deflashing (yes, we do that!) and medical products like joint replacements with UHMW.

According to AmSkills, a non-profit offering workforce training and employment support to Bay-area residents, over 133,000 manufacturing jobs were open in Tampa Bay in 2020. Through their two-week Career Discovery Bootcamp, they introduce adults and Veterans to skilled trades in manufacturing. By transitioning existing skills or learning new ones, participants graduate with employable skills and guaranteed job interviews from employers like TSE Industries. Recently, AmSkills partnered with us for a Bootcamp plant tour. The group explored operations at our Specialty Chemicals plant and processes in our Engineered Polymers (Plastics and Rubber) division. Excitingly, they learned their training at AmSkills matches skills used daily at TSE!