Speaker: Tim Kimbro
Can you share a brief overview of TCS Mechanical and its role in the advanced manufacturing and skilled trades industries?
Tim Kimbro: TCS Mechanical is a full-service process piping, plumbing and mechanical contractor based out of Austin, Texas. We employ around 650 full-time plumbers, pipefitters, sheet metal workers, welders, and we specialize. And process piping for the semiconductor industry where we install piping systems, high purity piping systems. And maintain those systems for semiconductor fabs all over the country.
What inspired TCS Mechanical to get involved with local schools and trade programs?
Tim Kimbro: At TCS we feel it's important to be involved with with our local schools and and with trade programs, one to create pipelines in our industry. And to, to make kids aware that this industry is a viable option for them and their families. Uh, college is not for everyone. I have 4 boys that Two of them probably are college bound because of the careers that they, they're interested in. The other two are not, and I wouldn't spend a dollar sending them there, but there's lots of opportunities for them and, and making People aware of the opportunities that the piping and sheet metal trades have for them is is a goal here at TCS.
Can you highlight some specific ways TCS Mechanical has supported schools, such as providing resources, expertise, or mentoring?
Tim Kimbro: There are several ways that we reach out and support our local schools. One is simply monetarily by making donations to their programs. Another way is by providing tools and partnering with our industry partners to get tools provided tools and materials to their programs and um but I think the more impactful way is, is. We do lots of tours and we bring the kids in and, and show them exactly what it is we do here. Um, we send welders to their programs to weld with the kids in their school shops. We send CWIs to help coach and mentor the kids. Um, we do currently do 2 6-week internships during the summer. In partnership with a couple of the school districts nearby and we do teacher externships throughout the summer.
How can educators and industry leaders work together more effectively to prepare students for successful careers?
Tim Kimbro: Industry leaders and educators. Can work together more effectively, one by making it a priority. Business leaders. Need to understand that they need to give back to the communities that they live and work in and educating. The younger generations as to the opportunities in their industries and fields should be a priority. Um, Getting to know each other, taking the time to have meetings and discuss what you can offer and how you can help, and just being open to that. Um. Educating these kids to the opportunities to the world of opportunities that are out there for them and not just focusing on. Passing some state. Required test. We should use our time to, to give them as many different experiences as as we can and. To better prepare them and it's simple. If you, if you're your class is gonna send a letter to local businessmen. Don't send a form letter. Have them. Figure out who, who the president is of that company. Ask to have a meeting with them, send a personal letter, not dear business owner. It's one of my personal pet peeves. Um, All of these things, bring them into the office setting and let them experience it and see what it's like. Put them in your shops. Let them, let them see what a day in the life of a welder is and just show them everything that that your industries have to offer.
