In advanced manufacturing, technical capability depends on more than sophisticated equipment.
It depends on the people who understand how to use that equipment, solve problems and share their knowledge with others.
Knowledge moves between employees with different skills and experience levels, helping strengthen both individual development and the operation as a whole.
CNC programmer Carson Swift is experiencing that exchange firsthand. Less than a year into his manufacturing career, Carson is learning five-axis programming from experienced programmer Mitch Brodzinski while helping newer employees develop machining skills.
His experience reflects an important part of our approach to workforce development: Learning is continuous, and knowledge becomes more valuable when it's shared.
Building Understanding From the Ground Up
Carson began his career with us through Tennessee College of Applied Technology's (TCAT) paid cooperative education program. His first assignment was in the tool room, where he became familiar with the cutters, tooling and processes that support machining operations.
As he progressed into machine operation, setups and programming, he developed a broader understanding of how the manufacturing process works.
Today, he draws on that experience when training newer operators. Carson starts with the fundamentals: identifying cutters, understanding their applications and becoming familiar with tooling. Training then progresses into indicating parts, completing setups, operating machines and troubleshooting problems.
His focus is on helping employees understand the work rather than simply follow instructions. "I try to tell them, tell me if you don't understand it," Carson explained. "Being able to understand this is the foundation."
Having recently worked through many of those same learning experiences, Carson understands the importance of having someone willing to answer questions and explain unfamiliar concepts. Now, he's providing that support to others.
Connecting Hands-On Experience With Advanced Programming
While Carson helps newer employees develop their skills, he's continuing to advance his own technical knowledge.
Much of his current work focuses on CNC programming. With Mitch's guidance, Carson is beginning to develop five-axis programming skills, an opportunity he once thought might take years to pursue.
His earlier shop-floor experience continues to play an important role in that development. Before moving into programming, Carson operated equipment, worked with different machine controllers, completed setups and troubleshot problems.
Those experiences gave him firsthand insight into how programs are executed on the shop floor.
Today, he considers how programming decisions affect the operator responsible for setting up the machine and producing the part. Having worked on both sides of the process, Carson understands the value of creating programs with practical setups and clear execution in mind.
His experience demonstrates how hands-on manufacturing knowledge and advanced programming skills complement one another. It also illustrates the value of developing employees who understand how their responsibilities connect to the broader manufacturing process.
Knowledge Sharing and Operational Excellence
As manufacturing technology and customer requirements become more complex, workforce development requires more than initial training. Employees need opportunities to continue learning, apply new skills and benefit from the experience of others.
That exchange of knowledge supports our approach to operational excellence. Experienced employees contribute technical expertise developed through years of practical work. Developing employees build on that knowledge through hands-on experience, questions and new responsibilities.
When knowledge is shared, it strengthens understanding across the operation and helps employees approach their work with greater confidence and capability.
In precision manufacturing, where accuracy, problem-solving and attention to detail are essential, that understanding matters.
Our collective goal is to produce flawless complete tools at V1, early, every single time. Achieving it requires talented people, disciplined processes and a shared commitment to performance, quality and delivery.
Developing people is an essential part of developing the capabilities needed to meet that standard.
Strengthening Capability Through Continuous Learning
Carson recognizes that his own development is far from complete. "This trade is so vast and endless. I'll never learn everything about it," he said.
Yet even as he continues learning, he's already helping others develop their skills. His experience shows how knowledge sharing creates opportunities for growth at every level.
An experienced programmer guides a developing employee and that employee applies what he's learned while helping newer operators understand the fundamentals. Each interaction strengthens the team's collective knowledge.
As we continue investing in advanced manufacturing technology, that commitment to learning remains essential.
Manufacturing capability isn't defined by equipment alone. It's built through the knowledge people develop, the experience they gain and their willingness to share it with others.