August 05, 2025 by Jeff Gaskill, Director of Education & Business Development, Snap-on Snap-On and Starrett Partner with SME Education Foundation to Advance CTE While automation and innovation drive the industry forward at an incredible rate, even the most advanced manufacturing operations still depend on a workforce that has fundamental competencies in math, measurement, and the use of hand tools. Unfortunately, traditional educational pathways often struggle to keep pace with industry demands, leaving a gap between the skills students acquire and the competencies employers desperately need. This is where strategic partnerships between industry leaders and educational organizations become vital. At the recent RAPID +TCT event in Detroit, within the Mission Critical: Workforce 2030 experience, Rob Luce, Vice President of the SME Education Foundation (SMEEF), sat down with Jeff Gaskill, Director of Education at Snap-On Inc., for an “SME Insights” discussion about their collaboration and how it's shaping the next generation of manufacturing talent. Snap-On's Commitment to Education Snap-On, a name synonymous with quality tools and equipment, has long understood the importance of investing in education. Jeff Gaskill leads Snap-On's Education Group, a team of nearly 300 professionals across the U.S. focused on educational initiatives. "They support other customers and other activities as well," Gaskill explained, "but they're focused on the education business and are out there meeting with all different levels of partnerships, programs that we work with, and both secondary and post-secondary schools across the country." Gaskill said Snap-On has over a thousand certification school programs. This commitment to so many schools continually delivering certifications underscores Snap-On's fundamental belief in tangible, skill-based learning. Why Industry Investment in Workforce Development Matters For a company like Snap-On, investing in workforce development isn't just about corporate social responsibility; it's a strategic imperative. "For Snap-On in particular, we have over a dozen plants in the United States. I think they're in more than a half dozen of states here in the U.S., where we manufacture, I call it chrome, meaning tools, wrenches, hammers—all of the core items," Gaskill explained. "We manufacture here in the U.S. So, first and foremost, we're Snap-On. We need workforce development programs for ourselves. It's a popular program for all of our U.S. business." Beyond their own manufacturing needs, Snap-On recognizes their role in supporting their customers. “A manufacturer might use our product for a certain application in their shop, and then they realize they need to train their employees on how to use it,” said Gaskill. This realization led to the development of certification programs that provide, as Gaskill describes, "that extra emphasis on the why or how it's working.” This demonstrates a holistic approach to supporting the entire ecosystem of manufacturing. The Transformative Impact of Certifications The impact of these certification programs is far-reaching, benefiting students, educators, and the manufacturing industry as a whole. Luce inquired about the observed effects, and Gaskill explained the multifaceted benefits for students. "Well, it hits on really many levels," Gaskill said. "One of them is that it just brings them in consistently." He provided a compelling example: "They say, okay, I might get my degree at the end of 18 months, but I'm going to get an award here—two weeks in I’m going to get certification for precision measurement, tape, and rule.” Gaskill reemphasized, “Two weeks into education, they're getting a certification. So it's that little piece that keeps you coming back and keeps your interest and keeps them driven to keep on going back and maintain the program." The immediate gratification and tangible recognition of skill acquisition are powerful motivators, keeping students engaged and committed to their educational journey. The Power of Precision Measurement A key feature of the Snap-On and SME Education Foundation partnership is the focus on precision measurement. Luce asked Gaskill to talk a little bit about that partnership. "Each one of the schools that are in the program receive a kit from the SME Education Foundation. It comes with all the products they need to do the services. It comes with full professional development program for their staff so they can get the education there or the training they need." He added, "They get full access to the certifications. So the students now have free access to the testing so they can get certified on those components. It's really a hands-on piece that is engaging for the students, and the schools have really found it very useful. It's been a big success." This comprehensive approach—providing the tools, professional development for educators, and free access to certifications for students—ensures a robust and sustainable learning environment. Luce emphasized the fundamental importance of precision measurement, saying, "Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, we couldn't be prouder to partner with Snap-On and Starrett through our PRIME program. As you know, we consider precision measurement to be a foundational-level skill set. It's a core pathway of the PRIME program, which means every PRIME school in the country, regardless of where they're located, receives one of these Snap-On kits and the certifications that come with that." He further highlighted its significance by sharing an anecdote: "A couple months ago, we were having a conversation with some folks at the Department of Defense, and they couldn't believe that we were teaching precision measurement to freshmen in high school." This speaks volumes about the foresight and impact of teaching youth such a fundamental skill. Advice for Educators: Embrace Industry Integration When asked for advice, Gaskill strongly advocated for educators and training providers to integrate industry into their programs immediately. He emphasized that this integration is crucial and can be adapted in numerous ways to fit various educational contexts. He reiterated the benefits for students: "It keeps the students engaged. It gives them a reward weeks into the process as opposed to waiting until the end of the full degree that they might be earning or matriculating towards, so it's just a big win, and it really keeps the students engaged." Beyond student engagement, Gaskill pointed out the advantages for instructors and institutional longevity. "You might have turnover at the school. Well, having a program that they can go off to train the trainer and get that professional development—when they do that, it means that’s very repeatable and consistent for the next person that comes in." This focus on professional development and program consistency ensures that the benefits of these partnerships are not fleeting but are woven into the fabric of the educational institution. "So, it helps the students, it helps the school, and it helps manufacturing. It helps the advanced manufacturing needed out in the world today, so it's a win all around," Gaskill concluded. A Partnership Built on Shared Values The partnership between Snap-On and the SME Education Foundation, alongside industry stalwart Starrett, exemplifies the power of collaboration. Gaskill highlighted the crucial role of Starrett, noting their long-standing presence in the industry, similar to Snap-On's 105 years. He pointed out that Starrett is also over a century old, possibly even older than Snap-On. “They’ve been around a really long time—a beautiful manufacturing plant. They are a manufacturer who is making manufacturing products, so it really is a perfect fit for them,” said Gaskill. “They are a great partner for us as well because they are the number one in metrology." This powerful alliance is not just about providing tools or certifications. Together, they are building a robust pipeline of skilled individuals who are ready to meet the demands of modern manufacturing. By prioritizing hands-on learning, industry-recognized credentials, and continuous professional development for educators, they are actively shaping a brighter future for American manufacturing. "When three 100-year-old organizations come together, good things are going to happen," said Luce. To learn more about these impactful partnerships, watch the complete video below or contact SME.
