What has been your favorite course so far with AJAC?
We don’t really have courses other than stem 3, but my favorite part about that class is working on the lathe. I have a lathe at home and having that knowledge of knowing the basics really comes in handy in class. It makes me feel good knowing that I have knowledge on a machine that helps me be more efficient.

Have you been applying what you’ve learned in AJAC classes to work at Tool Gauge?
I apply a lot of the basics that I’ve learned in class at work, such as measuring with precision tools and deciphering of drawings. What I haven’t applied at work is using manual machines. I’ve used manual machines a few times but I’d rather learn on CNC machines at school.

You’re the first automation apprentice at Tool Gauge, what are you most looking forward to learning and working with?
I would like to learn how to setup and program the robotic arm on the lathes. Its complexity and usefulness are something that will ecentually be used more in the future. I’d like to get a head start and know how to use and monitor one.

How has your apprenticeship been so far through AJAC and at Tool Gauge?
My time in the AJAC program has been great. Fortunately, I like a physical job versus being on a computer all day. I’d recommend the program to other if they’re willing to work hard and be consistent.

Tool Gauge has been good so far. It’s a physical job which I like, but in a relaxed environment. I’ve learned a lot so far: the importance of being on time, every person in this organization is a vital part in the grand scheme of things, and vital machine information both in running and maintaining.

What are some of your goals/plans after your complete this apprenticeship?
My goals after completing the apprenticeship now are open ended, I don’t really have a concrete goal or idea of what I want to do. But working in cnc has expanded my knowledge of what I like in the job and what I don’t.

The post Meet Tool Gauge Apprentice, Gavin Robinson appeared first on Tool Gauge.

I was born and raised in Spanaway, Washington and I’ve been with Tool Gauge full-time for three and a half years now.

You’re currently in the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) adult apprenticeship program with a focus on Tool and Die, what interested you most about this type of apprenticeship and career path? When did you decide to join?

The Tool and Die apprenticeship attracted me because I really like working with the manual machines like the lathes, mills, and grinders. I find it interesting how a simple block of material can be turned into a very complex part with very tight tolerances – a challenge of sorts that keeps your mind . It’s very hands on instead of letting the machine run the program after pushing a few buttons.

After about two years of working at Tool Gauge, I decided it was better for me to join the apprenticeship program to learn more skill for the trade instead of only relying on, on-the-job training to advance my career.

How long is the apprenticeship and what are your plans after graduating?

In total, the apprenticeship is five years with 15 classes total. I’m currently almost done with my first year of the apprenticeship. After graduating, I plan to continue working at Tool Gauge and hopefully working on more complex jobs around the shop.

Tell us what a typical day looks like for you as an adult apprentice and what type of classes you’re currently enrolled in.

My work schedule is typically from 6:00 am – 4:30 pm then I head to class from 5:00 – 9:00 pm. Classes are one day a week depending on professor availability – this quarter, classes are on Wednesdays. When I don’t have class, I usually head to the gym and get some homework done before falling asleep. As far as classes, I’ve already taken Shop Algebra and Blue Print Reading. I’m on my third class of the program which is Shop Geometry. We’re learning the basics of geometry and how to incorporate it into our typical work day.

Your dad works at Tool Gauge, has he been a mentor during your apprenticeship?

He has been a huge influence with my decision making. Working with my father goes pretty smoothly most of the time. He treats me just like another employee when we’re at work. It’s nice to have him as a boss because I’ve learned the value of taking my time on jobs to make sure what I’m doing is correct and precise. He is always trying to show me different ways to use machines or tools, “try using this, this way” or “maybe this would be more comfortable using it like this.” Him along with all the other guys in our department are very knowledgeable and can help with any questions I have.

Would you recommend an adult apprenticeship with AJAC?

I definitely would recommend joining an apprenticeship program. It’s a great program to learn about all the little things that go into the trade like knowing what type of metals you’re working with, how to program a machine, and even how to use basic math in everyday work.

The post Meet Tool Gauge Apprentice, Travis Gibson appeared first on Tool Gauge.

Nearly 100 students representing 12 school districts across Washington State, came together June 28^th, to celebrate Signing Day 2019 with the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC), hiring employers, family and friends. Signing Day marks the first day of the students apprenticeships as they embark on an opportunity to develop and advance their technical skills and work experiences within their chosen industry.

In an NFL draft-like ceremony, hiring employers and youth apprentices signed letters of intent proclaiming their commitment to start and finish their apprenticeship before high school graduation. During their apprenticeship, students will receive 2,000 hours of paid-on-the-job training and valuable work experience in their chosen field including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, automotive, and culinary.

During the ceremony, Clint Folyer (Metals Operation Manager) and Stephen Pyne (Metals Shop Foreman) signed on three new apprentices for the metals division. Jacqueline Espinoza and Ilia Andruh from the Tacoma School District will focus their training as production technicians and Gavin Robinson from the Puyallup School District will be training as an automation technician. Apprentices will be working with supervisors and fellow machinists on 3 axis CNC machines, tool and die maintenance, among other types of training. 

Recap: View photos and videos from the AJAC 2019 Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day Ceremony on their Flickr page and on YouTube.

About the AJAC Youth Apprenticeship Program: AJAC currently operates two registered Youth Apprenticeship programs for youth. Both the Production Technician (Youth) and Automation Technician (Youth) are 2,000 hour programs designed for high school juniors and seniors to develop career-ready skills in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries. These apprenticeship programs combine paid on-the-job training at an AJAC employer and college-level classroom instruction which can lead to a high school diploma, journey-level card and short-term college certificate.

The post 2019 Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day appeared first on Tool Gauge.

Tool Gauge apprentice, Raquel Taijito, is one of the 79 graduates who will receive her journey-level credential as a Production Technician. Not only is she receiving her credentials at tonight’s ceremony, but she be receiving her high school diploma from Stadium High School in Tacoma, Wash.

Raquel was hired through a partnership with Tool Gauge and AJAC as a registered Youth Apprentice.

“Raquel displayed a genuine interest in working for Tool Gauge during the interview process,” said Clint Folyer, Metals Operations Manager. “She carried herself very well and answered my questions with mature, though-out answers.  She showed all the right qualities that we look for in an employee.”

During her sophomore year, Raquel’s mom and high school engineering teacher encouraged her to enroll in AJAC’s Youth apprenticeship program as a Production Technician.

“I knew I liked to build things. When I was a little girl I used to love to play with Legos and it would be all these funky designs, but I remember just enjoying building and designing my own stuff,” Taijito said.

The Youth Apprenticeship program is designed for high school juniors and seniors to develop career-ready skills in aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries. The 2,000-hour programs combine paid hands on, on-the-job training with an AJAC employer alongside college level classroom instructions which can lead to a high school diploma, journey-level credential and short-term college certificate.

“The AJAC program helps close the skill gap between experienced workers leaving the workforce and the rate at which new talent is trained so that companies are never without the talent that makes them successful,” Folyer said.

As the school year comes to a close, Raquel is looking forward to keeping up her skills with a full-time job at Tool Gauge. In fall of 2019, she will enroll as a freshman at St. Martins University with a goal to pursue an aeronautical engineering degree.

“My dream is not actually owning a shop,” Taijito said. “But it’s being a part of a company where I can design aerospace parts – something that deals with NASA or satellites. That’s my ultimate goal.”

Congratulations to Raquel and the rest of the AJAC class of 2019!

The post AJAC Grad Night at the Museum of Flight appeared first on Tool Gauge.

Dickson Company broke ground with demolition in September 2018, demolishing 8 buildings including the original Tool Gauge PMP facility. After clean up was completed, Washington Patriot Construction came in and began installing underground utilities in preparation for approximately 1,000 – 1,050 cubic yards of concrete to be poured for the foundation. Another 906 cubic yards of concrete would be poured for the tilt walls.

With the help of a 550 ton crane, Washington Patriot lifted and installed the 55 walls in three days, taking the crew roughly 1,500 man hours to fabricate and lift the walls, some weighing up to 80,000 pounds.

Structural steel including steel columns, I beams, girders and joists have been delivered and are being erected through the end of March 2019. The beginning of April will mark the beginning of the roof installation (rood edge blocking, installing the roofing system and setting mechanical units) and vertical enclosures (installing windows, exterior door frames and doors, exterior painting and finishes).

Construction is estimated to be completed in late 2019 and will feature a customer lobby with the history of Tool Gauge in a storyboard format, two conference rooms, six offices, and 14 work spaces. Other important expansion details include:

• • Expansion of the plastics division press size range with implementation of multiple collaborative robots
• • Broadening of our secondary operations
• • Installation of a state-of-the-art vertical paint system
• • 2,000 sq. ft. for CNC equipment within our metals division

Once the facility is complete, we expect to create over 100 new jobs spanning over 5 years for the  Tacoma-Pierce County region. The grant from Governor Inslee’s Strategic Reserve Fund will assist in training new employees and advance the skills of 50 incumbent employees. Employee opportunities will include full-time, apprenticeship, and internship positions in machining, molding, assembly and engineering areas.

Follow the live expansion updates

To keep up with the Tool Gauge construction progress, visit our live workzone cam or our social media channels.

Contact Us

To discuss your plastic and metal assembly manufacturing needs, please email our General Manager, Jim Lee. If you are attending AIX 2019, from April 2-4 in Hamburg, Germany, please visit our booth under the Washington State umbrella at booth 6E80 / J.

The post Facility Expansion Update – Spring 2019 appeared first on Tool Gauge.

• • An additional 80,000 sq. ft. in our plastics division
• • Expansion of our plastics press size range
• • Broadening of our secondary operations to improve flow and ergonomic assembly
• • Installation of a new, state-of-the-art vertical paint system
• • An additional 2,000 sq. ft. for CNC equipment within our metals division
• • Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)

Once our new facility is complete, we expect to create between 100 and 150 new jobs over the next five years for the Tacoma-Pierce County region. We will grow from 135 employees currently to approximately 235 by 2024, adding full-time, apprenticeship, and internship positions in machining, molding, assembly, and engineering.

Just like many businesses going through such an extensive company expansion, we have learned a few lessons along the way, including:

• • We visited other local peer aerospace companies to verify best practices.
• • We found out that plans take longer than projected.
• • We learned to not delay – we need to hire now for the future.
• • We need to continuously think automation and LEAN practices.
• • We created new benefits package to attract new talent.
• • We implemented key performance indicators (KPIs) measuring safety, quality, delivery, cost, and training – measure, report, share in Plastics and Metals Operations, Tool Maintenance, and Secondary Operations.
• • We immediately integrated change into our evolving culture.

Estimated expansion timeline

• • June 2019: Phase 1 of construction complete
• • Late 2019: Phase 2 of construction complete
• • Fall 2019: Inauguration of new manufacturing facility

Follow live expansion updates

We invite you to follow our construction progress on our live workzone cam at https://bit.ly/2NpvscM.

To discuss your plastic and metal assembly manufacturing needs, please email our General Manager Jim Lee.

The post Facility expansion update – Fall 2018 appeared first on Tool Gauge.

I decided to become an apprentice at age 16 at the beginning of my sophomore year at Stadium High School in Tacoma. It was after my old engineer design teacher Mr. Reher introduced me to The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee’s (AJAC) and their training programs to see if this would be something that I would be interested in. These programs sounded like a really cool training alternative, especially the way they are structured – apprentices receive on-the-job training during the day at a local company’s job site and take classes one night a week at a community or technical college. So I decided to go for it!

Which specific AJAC apprenticeship program attracted you the most at the time?

I chose the aerospace-oriented production technician program which is specifically designed for high school students ages 16 and 17 who are looking to advance their skill set, knowledge, and understanding of advanced manufacturing. The job duties of a Production Technician is to set up, test, and adjust advanced manufacturing machinery or equipment, using a combination of electrical, electronic, mechanic, hydraulic, pneumatic, or computer technologies. Production Technicians work hands on with computer-aided design (CAD), as well as analytical and scientific software. I liked how the program gives high schoolers like me the opportunity to learn and enhance their knowledge in a variety of machining and manufacturing techniques. I also was attracted to the idea that I was going to learn basic manual and CNC machining, including shop knowledge and blue print reading.

How long is the apprenticeship?

This is a two-year program and I am currently in my second year. I will graduate in June 2019 with a Technician Operator certificate, as well as graduate from high school at the same time. By the time I complete my apprenticeship, I will have spent a year and three months at Tool Gauge altogether and received 2,000 hours of training in precision metal manufacturing which is pretty amazing.

What attracted you to Tool Gauge specifically?

In addition to the opportunity to learn with a local leading-edge aerospace manufacturing company, for me it is about the people who work there. I remember meeting Tool Gauge’s Metals Operations Manager Clint Folyer for the first time and how he had a really nice attitude with genuine care for his team. I remember him saying that the company was not too big, but big enough to do both production and unique jobs. Now that I work in Tool Gauge’s metals division, it’s exciting to be able to say that I manufacture parts that go into airplanes.

What are your plans after completing your apprenticeship?

I hope to work as a Technician Operator first. After that, all the skills and work experience I will have acquired will help me reach my ultimate career goal which is to become an aerospace engineer.

What is it like to be an apprentice and would you recommend this program to others?

Being an apprentice is a lot of fun and I really enjoy what I do. It is not easy sometimes because you have to juggle work and school, but I know it is worth it in the end because this work experience will help me understand the industrial and mechanical aspects that I need for a future career in aerospace engineering. I would recommend this program to young people who are eager to learn and don’t mind getting their hands dirty. Youth apprenticeship programs are also a great alternative to a four-year university degree and can lead to fulfilling and rewarding careers.

The post Meet Tool Gauge Apprentice Raquel Taijito appeared first on Tool Gauge.

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