Tegra Medical is touting its toolmaker apprentice program to help build its skilled manufacturing workforce.
The apprentice program is a four-year program that requires participants to be enrolled in a local engineering program. Tegra Medical will pay their tuition and salary in return. The opportunity allows for apprentices to start their careers in toolmaking.
Nick Voyer is the second apprentice to complete the program. He is a five-year employee of Tegra Medical who is pursuing an associate degree in manufacturing technology. He earned the position journeyman toolmaker in June of this year.
“If I did not join the program, I would not have had the motivation to go to college,” Voyer said. “Once I started going to school, I realized how much I liked learning more in-depth information about manufacturing. I also wouldn’t have had the goal to move to engineering. The program has allowed me to see first-hand what engineers do and has motivated me to move up to that level.”
Voyer has been a part of a team that creates devices like bone scrapers, needles and wires that are over-molded for catheters.
“I could not have been successful in this program if it weren’t for the knowledge of the journeymen around me,” Voyer said. “They are all some of the most brilliant men I have had the privilege of working with and they were very supportive in my learning. I owe a great part of my success to them. Their patience and ability to teach have taught me many things that will further the success in my career.”