Wilson is one of eight apprentices at TAC Enterprises, 2160 Old Selma Road, a program spearheaded by Habilitation Manager Kevin Spriggs that started in 2008.
The majority of TAC’s 570 employees — 460 of them — are severely disabled and there are approximately 110 nondisabled employees.
The apprentice category is situated in between.
Apprentices often have mild developmental challenges, medical conditions or other issues that present problems when they try to hold regular jobs.
Apprentices do not qualify for special services available to the severely disabled employees.
Spriggs became aware of what he viewed as an underserved population when he started looking into establishing collaborations with area schools.
“One student was brought up and it caused the idea to be kicked around. ... These individuals face challenges in the workplace and often can not be competitively employed,” he said.
Wilson, who struggled in the traditional workforce, started at TAC about 16 months ago, working on the cargo net production line. He has worked his way up to supervisor and “inspects duck bills and belly bands,” he said.
Duck bills are the large hooks that attach the nets to other objects and belly bands are one of the nets’ straps.
“If it’s not right, we kick it out and write it up on our paperwork. ... We check 13 out of every box of 30 or 40,” Wilson said as he demonstrated how he attaches the belly band to a template to ensure it has been sewn properly.
His responsibility is great, but he said can handle it because he can work at a pace better suited to his abilities.
“You have to live with what you have and what you can do. ... I like this job. It’s a nice place and there’s always something to learn. It’s the biggest job I’ve ever had,” Wilson said.
There are now eight apprentices, but Spriggs said they could place up to 30 and TAC is looking to create more opportunities for apprentices.
Apprentices do not make the standard minimum wage, but are compensated according to Department of Labor guidelines for sub-minimum wage payment.
Wages are paid according to a baseline figure established using data from TAC’s annual prevailing wage survey and time studies.
How TAC works
What is now TAC started in the 1950s as a parent-driven workshop at the Town and Country Day School to afford developmentally disabled individuals a meaningful way to spend their time.
It has since evolved into an incorporated business that contracts with local and national companies and the federal government.
About 85 percent of TAC’s work comes from a contract with the U.S. Air Force to construct and repair cargo nets, said Dave Faulkner, TAC communications manager.
TAC employees manufacture about 11,000 nets per month and repair between 1,800 and 2,000 nets each month.
The contract comes through the AbilityOne Program, which focuses on providing employment opportunities for people who are blind or otherwise severely disabled in the manufacture and delivery of products and services to the federal government.
The AbilityOne program is highlighted during October, Faulkner said, which is National Disability Employment Awareness month.
TAC operates from the revenue generated from its businesses, with only about 5 percent of funds coming from various developmentally disabled services sources.
Those funds are applied directly to employee care needs. No county or federal funds are used for business operations.
“Because of our contracts, we’re able to provide services without as much dependence on taxpayer dollars. That’s the value-added aspect for the community. TAC is unique in the state of Ohio from that aspect — it’s a self-supporting entity,” Faulkner said.
New products, new jobs
TAC has long-standing contracts with Sweet Manufacturing and Rittal, but Faulkner and Business Development Manager Steve Berner want other area businesses to think of the facility when they are looking for a work force.
“We can effectively serve entrepreneurs who are looking for a production facility because they have outstripped their ability to produce single pieces or need a larger facility or workforce,” Faulkner said.
TAC has recently started casting cement lawn ornaments designed by St. Paris artist Jay Risner and assembling fishing bite indicators created by Dan McCarty of New Carlisle.
“We were sought out by these individuals because we can provide cost-effective production of a quality unit. It’s a win for everyone,” Faulkner said.
McCarty’s company, D&B Bite Indicators, LLC, hired TAC for assembly of day and night bite indicators, a liver pouch and a glow tube slip pouch.
McCarty was making his own lures, selling small quantities to bait shops and pay lakes, but needed help with production to fulfill orders and prepare for larger contracts with national sporting goods and big-box stores he’s currently negotiating.
“I thought of TAC because I have a step-brother who works there and I also wanted to keep all my production in the states,” he said.
McCarty contacted a number of manufacturers, and even though TAC’s bid wasn’t the lowest, he liked their professionalism and quality.
“I had to go with what my heart felt. I just felt a peace about working with them. ...They told me they wanted to grow with me and the work is excellent,” McCarty said.
TAC is exploring other expansion possibilities that would utilize employee skills while moving them away from their usual manufacturing base. Products that require sewing will likely be considered.
“We’re working to develop a family of products based on what we’re good at. ...We want to move into a family of products that can be direct-marketed so TAC can have more control over our financial future and be less dependent on government contracts and the bidding process,” Berner said.
That would create more apprentice jobs for people like Jacob Biermann and Cathy Jenkins.
“Our focus is on people with disabilities,” Faulkner said, “but to maintain our level of production, we need all levels of workers.”
Biermann, 20, has worked as an apprentice at TAC for three months gluing new cargo nets.
“I like it. The people are really friendly and I feel productive,” said the recent Springfield Clark Technical Career Center graduate about his first job.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.
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