Nearly a decade ago, leaders at US Tool Group realized something was missing—not in their business, but in their community. Local students were graduating without ever discovering the kinds of hands-on careers being built right in their own backyard.
That epiphany became the starting point for something extraordinary.
Tony Myers and Plant Manager Denny Bouse began asking deeper questions—Where do these skills come from? Why aren’t students exposed to them sooner? They quickly realized the gap between education and industry wasn’t intentional. It was simply a bridge that hadn’t yet been built.
Once they recognized the gap, they felt a responsibility to close it, for the students, and for the future of their community.
Together with Bruce and Brent Williams, Jamie Vinson, and other community leaders, they picked up the phone. They called every superintendent, chamber director, and business leader in the county. They invited them to breakfast at US Tool. Not to make a pitch, but to start a conversation.
That morning, something powerful happened. Education met industry across the same table, and instead of competing for talent, they began talking about creating opportunity.
Out of that spirit of collaboration, the Industry & Education Partnership was born — a regional alliance dedicated to equipping students with real-world skills, confidence, and the chance to build their future right here at home.
At the time, not a single local district offered an industrial or technical program. Today, every one of them do.
Through the Partnership, schools now share curriculum, resources, and equipment. Teachers spend their summers in paid externships, learning side-by-side with industry professionals and returning to their classrooms with hands-on knowledge. Students tour facilities, shadow skilled workers, and experience what modern manufacturing and technology look like beyond the classroom walls.
And the opportunities keep growing. This spring, the Partnership will host its sixth round of school tours, welcoming hundreds of students to explore local businesses, ask questions, and imagine themselves in those spaces. Volunteers from across the region will lead the tours, donating their time and insight to help students see that success doesn’t have to mean leaving home.
The Partnership is also expanding into technology. Following a recent meeting, US Tool announced a new IT internship program, connecting students with hands-on roles that provide real-world experience in equipment setup and maintenance. It’s another example of how the Partnership continues to evolve — meeting students where they are, and meeting the workforce where it’s headed.
The results speak for themselves.
One young woman came to US Tool as an intern, uncertain about her future and unsure of where she fit. When she realized that production work wasn’t her calling, the team didn’t let her fade into the background. Instead, they moved her to a different department. There, she discovered a passion for design that changed her path entirely, and today, she’s pursuing a degree in graphic design.
Another student, Bailey, found his start through the program. He learned a trade, built his confidence, and eventually opened his own business — proof that when students are given opportunity and guidance, they don’t just find jobs; they find direction.
These are more than success stories. They’re proof that when young people are given exposure, mentorship, and a chance to grow, they discover what they’re made of.
“We’ve gotten a few great workers out of this program, but that’s not why we do it. We do it because every kid deserves the chance to find their purpose. Because when we invest in them, we invest in all of us.”
The ripple effect has reached far beyond the Parkland. Neighboring Jefferson County has developed its own version of the model. Fredericktown created an Industrial Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce inspired by it. And once only a dream, the Mineral Area College Technical Education Building now stands as a symbol of what’s possible when vision and generosity align.
At the heart of it all stands US Tool, leading not because they have to, but because they believe they should. Under CEO Bruce Williams, the company has purchased equipment, laptops, and supplies for area schools. They host student tours, career fairs, and community drives that support families, foster children, and employees in need. Inside their walls, giving has become a way of life: chili cook-offs that fund Christmas gifts, and raffles that raise money for backpacks and school supplies. Because for US Tool, giving back isn’t a campaign. It’s culture.
The Industry & Education Partnership began with a single conversation and grew into a movement that reshaped how this region prepares its youth for the future. It’s living proof that the greatest impact doesn’t come from what we keep, but from what we choose to give.
“This partnership isn’t just about teaching skills, it’s about opening eyes, building confidence, and reminding students that their future is worth investing in.”
“When collaboration replaces competition, students don’t just dream of a future—they start creating it.”