Protomet is betting on people over processors as it adds about 50 jobs at its Loudon factory in what it is branding an "AI-proof" hiring push. The company is planning a career fair on April 23 to recruit assembly, machining, and welding workers.
According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, the Loudon-based manufacturer, which supplies marine parts for the recreational boating industry, is targeting entry-level shop-floor roles that rely on hands-on skill instead of tasks that artificial intelligence can easily automate. The outlet reports the career fair will be held at Protomet’s Loudon facility and is expected to help fill roughly 50 openings this spring.
Protomet's Protomet careers information lists openings in assembly, CNC machining, welding, powder coating, fabrication, and wire-harness work, and highlights a technical apprenticeship plus on-the-job training for new hires. The company wraps the effort in a people-first slogan, "The future is human," and argues that those shop-floor skills give workers more resilience as offices and white-collar roles shift under the pressure of automation.
Why the 'AI-proof' angle?
The hiring push lines up with a broader Tennessee effort to balance AI adoption with practical workforce development. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has launched an Applied Artificial Intelligence bachelor's track aimed at giving students real-world AI skills, and state leaders have been weighing investments and policy options as industries test out new technologies. That backdrop helps explain why some employers are now spotlighting roles that are harder to fully automate, even as AI creeps into offices and design labs.
Where this fits in Protomet's growth
Protomet has been building up its East Tennessee footprint in recent years, including multi-million-dollar facility investments and plans for additional jobs across the region. That longer-term growth strategy provides the backdrop for this spring hiring round, which the company says is meant to keep production local and deepen its bench of skilled shop-floor workers. Business Facilities reported on Protomet's regionwide expansion plans in 2024.
Protomet is currently accepting applications online and encouraging candidates to attend the April 23 career fair for on-site interviews and a closer look at its apprenticeship pathway, according to Protomet. Applicants can review role descriptions and submit materials through the company’s website ahead of the event.
