18 Area High Schools Participated in the Association’s Most Effective Initiative for Career Recruitment into High-Tech Precision Manufacturing
SCHAUMBURG, IL – The Technology & Manufacturing Association hosted 236 students from 18 high schools at its 31st Annual Precision Machining Competition (PMC) held at Mazak Corporation in Schaumburg, IL in early May.
There were 303 projects produced by this year’s student competitors, with an impressive 35 resulting in perfect scores. Student projects spanned 15 different categories that tested their skills in a range of modern manufacturing areas.
High schools participating in the annual competition included Cary-Grove, East Leyden, Glenbard East, Hampshire, Harvard, Homewood-Flossmoor, Jefferson, Lake Park, Maine West, McHenry, Niles, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, South Elgin, Streamwood, West Leyden, and Wheeling.
Those students that participate in the competition are the industry’s next generation of manufacturing professionals, with many local manufacturers attending to show their support and even provide apprenticeship and employment opportunities.
Mazak General Manager Kevin Bates, Termax’s Seth Barra, Camcraft’s Greg Carrico, Technetics Group Rob Stuebing, and Principal Manufacturing’s Armine Olivas and Ben Barnett spoke to the participants and their families about how they’ve found fulfilling careers in U.S advanced manufacturing.
“This is the largest involvement we’ve had from high schools and students since 2019,” said TMA President Patrick Osborne. “If this year’s Precision Machining Competition made one thing clear, it’s that the future of U.S. manufacturing is in good hands. In fact, the students who competed proved their work is strong enough to make an impact in advanced manufacturing right now. It’s encouraging and refreshing to know we have young men and women passionate about our important industry.”
First-place recipients received free admission to TMA’s Go for Launch! event taking place in October that will deliver a multi-day experience for 8th-12th grade students interested in spaceflight and space exploration. In partnership with Higher Orbits, this event will offer students the opportunity to strengthen their skills in STEM, teamwork, communication, research, design, and leadership, learning from a former NASA astronaut and other instructors with NASA and space program experience.
For more about other annual TMA competitions, see:
TMA’s 28th Annual Precision Machining Competition May 9th
About TMA: Founded in 1925, the Technology and Manufacturing Association is an independent trade organization exclusively focused on assisting small and midsize manufacturers by providing a diverse portfolio of benefits and services, including community, information, training, resources, and advocacy. TMA has nearly 1,000 members representing over 35,000 manufacturing employees and more than 25 million square feet of manufacturing plant.
