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April 3, 2026
Tennessee Board of Regents
For as long as Dickson County’s Blake Tyler can remember, life has always revolved around standards. This set of guiding principles was instilled in him at a young age as he spent countless hours in his father’s machine tool shop.
“Pop always reminded me that everything has a standard and his standards mattered most,” said Tyler. “I’ve carried his advice with me throughout my life; whenever I’ve approached a project that needs to get done, I’ve taken care of it with standards in mind, and pop has been my conscience in all of my work.”
Tyler carried those early lessons learned while pushing a broom around his father’s machine tool shop at the age of five with him at every stop – including when he joined the U.S. Air Force’s Security Forces, serving his country for six years. His unit was responsible for everything from nuclear security to law enforcement and investigations, counterterrorism, and the fight against drugs and narcotics, among other duties. During his service, Tyler relied heavily on his training and background.
“By definition, machining is all about attention to detail, and once you learn and master this skill, it translates to and impacts every aspect of life,” added Tyler. “This is especially true in the military when your job is specifically to notice key details about a situation in an operation; attention to detail makes all the difference in the world for yourself and your fellow service members.”
When Tyler’s tour of duty concluded, he returned home and joined the Tennessee National Guard. After an additional year of service, Tyler later moved on to a contract security position. However, his wife and young family shifted his focus and career path back into a familiar place.
“Being away from home and the dangers associated with my contract security position eventually led me back to what I knew. I soon realized that Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Dickson seemed like the perfect place for me to advance my career and realize my professional goals in the machining industry.”
As a veteran, Tyler had access to the G.I. Bill to help cover the costs of his education at TCAT Dickson. This resource is awarded to U.S. military veterans and active duty servicemembers and their families, helping them cover the costs of tuition, housing and other educational expenses. The G.I. Bill is just one of many financial resources available to students across TBR - The College System of Tennessee – including veterans – as they pursue career training and education opportunities at the state’s public technical and community colleges.
“The opportunities, grants and resources available to get students into this school or other TCATs across the state are absolutely amazing,” Tyler added. “There’s absolutely no real reason for a student not to be able to attend one of these colleges and learn the skills needed to quickly secure high-paying careers. TCATs are the place to be for anyone who wants to upskill and advance into a high-demand opportunity.”
Tyler’s journey to earning his certificate in the machine tool technology program will take as little as 16 months. He hopes to eventually own a small business or be a machining contract employee with the military, so he can continue supporting his country. Currently, he’s gaining real world experience in the industry as a part-time tool and die maker at Metrican Stamping in Dickson. There, he uses Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining equipment to design and fix broken dies and sections needed to support parts manufacturing.
“Tool and die is one area that I was always interested in, and when our class visited Metrican Stamping, I spoke with one of the hiring managers, filled out an application and was hired the very next day,” Tyler said. “Many business owners and industry leaders who visit TCAT Dickson’s Machine Tool Technology program hire students because of their training and how well-prepared they are when they graduate.”
Tyler encourages any prospective student considering this specific program or other opportunities at TCAT Dickson to do their research, take advantage of financial resources available to them and most importantly – enroll!
“These types of programs cost a fraction of a semester at four-year schools,” Tyler said. “Anyone considering an opportunity at a technical college should know these are very affordable options because of all the scholarship and grant opportunities available. The admissions teams at the System’s technical colleges are also great to work with, and they make the entire process incredibly simple.”
For more information about programs available at TCAT Dickson, visit the TCAT Dickson website. You can also watch Blake Tyler’s story by visiting the College System’s YouTube channel.
For more information about Tennessee’s community and technical colleges, including programs offered and financial aid, visit the Tennessee Board of Regents website.
