Employees at Yokohama's Tire Manufacturing Mississippi (YTMM) in West Point, Miss., are making more than commercial truck tires. They're also earning degrees through the Maintenance Apprenticeship Program.
"At Yokohama, employees are our most valuable asset," says Philip Calhoun, YTMM's general manager/vice president of operations. "Helping employees with hands-on experience to hone their skills or learn new ones paves the way for career advancement. It's a fantastic opportunity for them and the company."
[RELATED: Read TPS' Partnering for Progress series on technical education]
The program was implemented in 2024 in partnership with the East Mississippi Community College. It's designed to help develop more skilled trade workers at the plant with a blend of on-site training and classroom education. Employees can work toward an associate degree and gain experience on the job — and Yokohama covers 100% of the cost.
Employees start on the production floor before moving into more technical roles, including maintenance.
"It's a win-win for Yokohama and our area," says Dr. Michael Busby, vice president of career technical and workforce education at East Mississippi Community College. "They're coming to school, still employed and giving back to the industry."
[RELATED: CVSN unveils comprehensive talent development pipeline]
Calhoun says several employees are about to graduate.
"The program has helped build confidence and develop skills that extend beyond the workplace," he says. "It's part of our long-term workforce strategy focused on developing talent internally. If you can't find the talent, then you have to develop your own people. And that's what we're doing."
