In 1996, a young man from Union County’s Horace Maynard High School set out to explore the field of diesel mechanics. Since the options for continued education in this field were more limited at that time, this Union County native attended a trade school in Middle Tennessee, later returning to his hometown as he ventured to begin his career.
Securing a position in Knoxville in 1997, this young man began his professional journey as a diesel mechanic and began trudging through the technical and personal skill development that would promise him a long and lucrative career.
Coming from a family that valued education (the young man’s mother was a public school librarian) and one that constantly strived to promote learning, this diesel mechanic grew into a leadership and supervisory role in 2006 where he would guide upcoming mechanics as they initiated their journey to follow along the path he once walked himself.
His role as a manager, developer and leader allowed him to return to his roots once more in a capacity much farther reaching than he had anticipated. His reach evolved into a collaboration among the industry he loves and the educational system that provided him his own start in life.
Isaac Collins, son of former Union County Public Schools (UCPS) librarian Jean Ann Collins, is now the Operations Manager for Bobcat of Knoxville and the young man from the Class of 1996 described above. Isaac still refers to his high school automotive teacher, Rick Keck, as the teacher who provided him his start in the industry.
“He taught boys how to be men, take responsibility for your actions, and work to better those around you. His biggest influence on me was how he treated everyone the same, rich or poor, sharpest to dullest, he made no difference in his students.” says Collins.
Keck and the Union County Public School system positively impacted Isaac’s life in his early years and Isaac wanted to pay it forward for future generations.
Prior to 2018, Isaac began seeking ways to reintegrate himself into the community and give back (even more) to the small town that always meant so much to him.
In 2018, Isaac and the Union County High School (UCHS) Work Based Learning Coordinator at that time, Josh Williams, began a Work Based Learning (WBL) partnership. This partnership allowed UCHS students to apply for a service technician internship with Bobcat of Knoxville, which was certain to grant valuable on-the-job skills and experiences they needed prior to entering the industry.
These student workers had previously completed safety training and demonstrated technical competencies in the automotive and/or agricultural engineering programs through the Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways prior to application and were provided an interview and opportunity to compete in the job market for an internship position at the recommendation of their high school instructors. The first intern became a success story.
Since this first successful student placement in 2018, the partnership between UCHS and Bobcat of Knoxville has grown exponentially. Semester after semester, Isaac and his team have continued the service technician internship opportunities and expanded opportunities to positions within their parts and warranty divisions.
Isaac and the Bobcat of Knoxville staff have visited UCHS as routine guest speakers in CTE classrooms, attended Career Fairs at UCHS, presented to Advisory Council Workshops for CTE, developed technical training efforts for individual students, and supported various efforts to expand educational opportunities to Union County students. They have allowed students to learn hands-on safe operations of a skid steer at UCHS. All these efforts and the collaboration between Bobcat of Knoxville and UCHS have resulted in a stable employment pipeline for Bobcat of Knoxville and increased career development opportunities for young workers beginning their careers in this industry.
The owner of Bobcat of Knoxville, Jennifer Parks, states “Twenty-five percent of our entire staff is from Union County. Work Based Learning has been a blessing for us. The current employees who started through UCHS Work Based Learning have allowed us to not only stay at the top of our abilities as a company, but to excel and prosper, as have the employees personally and financially.”
These internship opportunities are paid positions for students, allowing them to apply the skills acquired in the classroom, gain hands-on experiences in a work environment, interact with customers or clients, and earn above average wages in their desired field of interest.
Parks also states, “Every single WBL participant that is still here at Bobcat of Knoxville is an absolute All-Star!”
This quote highlights the successful collaboration between the educational institution and the business partner who have worked in unison to build a talented and knowledgeable future workforce for this local industry.
UCHS WBL would like to extend its most sincere gratitude to Isaac Collins, Jennifer Parks and the staff at Bobcat of Knoxville for their continued support of our youth and the programs designated to make a positive impact on the lives of Union County students.
The vision that began working its course in 1996 has been long but so worthy. Isaac set out to make a difference in the lives of others, and without a doubt, his goal has been accomplished! For this sincerity, dedication, and perseverance, UCHS thanks you!
Business owners and local industry professionals are encouraged to request more information about the Work Based Learning programs at Union County High School using this link: https://forms.gle/roLj41eySyxvgXMp9.