Stuff-New Hampshire

F a l l 2 0 1 9 • S T U F F 6 3 STUFFMadeInN H .com "I started with Tecomet in April 2016 working in our waterjet department. When Tecomet announced the Apprenticeship Program last year I knew that was the opportunity I needed to learn more and develop my skills. Being able to take classes online fit with my schedule. I enjoyed the onsite classroom setting where we all got together to discuss the training subjects. I learned a lot about machining and the different processes we do at Tecomet. As a result of the apprenticeship program, I am now doing machinist work operating a press brake machine." What is the coolest thing about your job/company? APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM Tecomet initially began planning our Apprentice Program in early 2018. We needed to find a way to not only source workers for our medical device manufacturing plant but also wanted to invest in our current employees and provide them the training and tools needed to advance their careers. Through the wealth of information and guidance from the New Hampshire Community College System and other state resources, we developed a program focused on machine operators. Our end goal is to develop these machine operators to become our next machinists and move on to more technical jobs in our company. Our program provides 144 hours of online and classroom training. Partnering with Manchester Community College and ToolingU our apprentices go through trainings to include lean manufacturing, shop math, measurement tooling, machine fabrication, machine tools, as well as training in all aspects of our production process to include our operations in injection molding, thermoforming, CNC machining, press brakes, punch, and laser. We felt it was very important to include their exposure to the different processes here at Tecomet as part of their knowledge investment with our company. In addition to the online and classroom training, our apprentices go through the 2,000 hours of hands-on training to strengthen their skills to apply the trainings to the jobs they are doing. We officially began our first Apprenticeship Program in September of 2018. We are very proud that all nine apprentices successfully completed this program and have moved onto other positions within the company. We kicked off our second Apprenticeship program in September 2019 with 10 employees who will go through the same training as outlined above. We are proud to have a new employee who recently graduated from the New Hampshire Job Corps school in this apprenticeship program. Here at Tecomet we will continue on this Apprenticeship journey for years to come. The ability to provide personal growth and a career path is an invaluable benefit, to both our employees and the company. Brandon Pecce aligning a tray on the CNC machine Josh Francis POSITION: Machinist/Press Brake Operator AGE: 27 SCHOOL: Londonderry High School YEARS AT COMPANY: 4

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