# Training the Technician of the Future

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2022-08-30
- Length: 25m
- Episode: 117
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-88dff37f-2c3b-42ad-bc68-39f3a5817e34

## Summary

Tim Wilborne, owner of TW Controls, explains how he and his wife Amber transitioned from industrial controls integration to building a training business after struggling with cash flow and sales. He details the creation of their PLC trainer to generate steady revenue and the development of in-person courses that help technicians bridge the gap between mechanical and electrical roles. Wilborne argues that automation improves jobs by removing hazardous grunt work and discusses his strategy of building a large online audience through helpful, human-centric video content rather than direct promotion.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future#t=0) Introduction: Tim Wilborne and TW Controls
- [3:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future#t=182) From Machine Shop to PLC Integration and Cash Flow Struggles
- [6:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future#t=376) Mission: Helping Technicians Become Better at Their Jobs
- [8:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future#t=500) Addressing Automation Fear and Improving Job Quality
- [11:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future#t=679) Continuous Learning and Student-Driven Training Methods
- [14:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future#t=877) Career Advice: Horizontal Movement and Lifelong Learning
- [18:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future#t=1126) Building an Audience: YouTube Strategy and Content Creation

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- TW Controls (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- PLC trainer (product)
- Boston dynamics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How to Build an Industrial Automation YouTube Channel with Tim Wilborne](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-01-17-how-to-build-an-industrial-automation-youtube-channel-with-tim-wilborne) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap with Joe Carson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2019-11-25-taking-the-entrepreneurial-leap-with-joe-carson) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: BIG NEWS + 3 Reasons I'm Grateful I Worked at Rockwell Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-11-03-bonus-big-news-3-reasons-im-grateful-i-worked-at-rockwell-automation) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [An Interview with John Davis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-03-26-an-interview-with-john-davis) (The Amp Hour)
- [Building an Automation Company on Ambition and Hustle with Malachi Greb](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-11-15-building-an-automation-company-on-ambition-and-hustle-with-malachi-greb) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Manufacturing Executive.