UT Center for Industrial Services' TMEP Program Connects Manufacturing Leaders with Workforce and AI Resources
The Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership (TMEP), a program of the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS), supported the American Wire Producers Association (AWPA) Operations Managers Meeting held October 20–21, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. The national event attracted 84 registrants from across the country and provided an opportunity for UT CIS to share practical solutions to challenges facing manufacturers.
Through TMEP, UT CIS delivered three educational sessions focused on leadership development, emerging technologies, and workforce improvement:
- Leadership Essentials for Emerging Manufacturing Leaders: A four-hour workshop designed to help supervisors and emerging leaders develop the skills needed to lead high-performing teams.
- AI 101 for Operations: Practical AI for the Factory, Safety, and HR Teams: A one-hour session exploring practical applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing operations, safety, and human resources.
- Optimized People Development System: A one-hour overview of a systems-based approach to workforce recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention.
The sessions were well received and generated interest among attendees in accessing additional resources and connecting with their local Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers.
By supporting this national industry event, UT CIS demonstrated the expertise and resources available to manufacturers through its TMEP program while reinforcing the value of the MEP National Network. The engagement provided an opportunity to connect manufacturers with practical approaches to improving operations, developing their workforce, and adopting emerging technologies.
The meeting concluded on October 21 with a tour of Mid-South Wire's manufacturing facility in Nashville.