1. Register for TMA Related Theory Apprentice Training Program - Deadline July 25
2. TMA Announces Winners of Math in Manufacturing Poster Contest
3. Human Resource Managers say School-to-Work has Impact
4. TMA Education Foundation Grants
5. 2002 TMA Precision Metalworking Competition
6. Student Summit
7. Free to Illinois educators: Surgeons of Steel brochures from TMA

Register for TMA Related Theory Apprentice Training Program - Deadline July 25

The Tooling & Manufacturing Association is opening the first year of its Related Theory Apprentice Training program to all students who qualify. Previously, the program was only open to emplyees of TMA member companies.

The deadline for registration is July 25, however, all prospective first-year students must take the entrance exams. These are given at Triton College in River Grove and include a writing sample and reading level exam, and a two-part math test. (Sample problems for the math test can be found in the TMA Related Theory catalog.)

The fee for the program is $600 for each year (two semesters).

Registration and testing information will be available from TMA April 1. Contact the TMA Education Department.

Since 1934, TMA has been the leader in apprentice education for the precision metalworking industry in Chicago. TMA curriculum complies with national standards set by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. Instructors for the program all have a minimum of nine years experience in industry.

TMA Related Theory courses

First-year courses are Industrial Math II, Industrial Prints, and Machine Tool Technology. The second year focuses solely on machine tool technology. Starting in the third year, students choose a specialty of precision machining, mold making, or die making and courses offered are in machine tool technology, basic die making, and basic mold making. The fourth year of the program offers advanced courses in machining technology, die making, and moldmaking and covers such subjects as numerical control programming concepts, wire EDM, and an introduction to CAM.

For details on registration, call the TMA Education Department at 847/825-1120.

TMA Announces Winners of Math in Manufacturing Poster Contest

Click here for full size image

The winner of the 2002 Math in Manufacturing Poster Contest is Brian Montana, a senior at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park. Brian will be the recipient of a $1000 U.S. Savings Bond.

The sole sponsor of this year's contest prizes is Hommer Tool & Mfg. in Arlington Heights.

The second place winner is Eric Marando, a senior at Fremd High School in Palatine, and winner of third place is Tyrone Lee, also a senior, from Shepard High School in Palos Heights. These students will receive a $500 and $250 savings bonds respectively.

This annual contest, in its twelfth year, encourages Illinois high school students to illustrate the importance of math to manufacturing and the careers related to it. The winning design is printed as a poster and distributed throughout the state.

Students entering the contest are asked to explain how their design relates mathematics to manufacturing. Brian Montana said his design relates mathematics to manufacturing "through the visuals of the computer and formulas used. Many mathematic formulas are included in the Haas vertical machining center. Geometry assists with precision machining using the X, Y, and Z axes when making tools, gears, and a wide variety of manufactured products. Calculating the RPM on cutting tools, the number of teeth a gear should have, and other miscellaneous equations all apply to manufacturing."

Brian is an advanced art student and is taking a course in computer aided drafting.

TMA and contest sponsor Hommer Tool & Mfg. congratulate all the winners, who will be recognized at the Student Contest Awards Presentation on May 17. This year's colorful poster will be printed and distributed to Illinois schools in late March. For your free copy, contact TMA.

Human Resource Managers say School-to-Work has Impact

Nearly 400 members of the Society for Human Resource Management report that paid work experiences for students and school-to-work programs and activities, such as job shadowing and mentoring, have a positive impact on the surrounding community.

In a recent survey, most said that while school-to-work programs help address the skills gap between education and work, in general, high school graduates are "not qualified" to enter the workforce.

Among the findings of the survey:

61% of human resource professionals believe that most high school graduates are not qualified to enter the workforce

95% reported that paid work experience programs were effective with subsequent hiring; 88% said the same of mentoring programs

58% said that job shadowing is effective - though in varying degrees - in closing the skills gap

83% said that school-to-work programs have positive impact on the surrounding community and educational system. 81% said that job shadowing had such an effect; 70% said the same of job shadowing programs

83% said that paid work experience has a positive effect on students entering the workforce.

TMA Education Foundation Grants

The TMA Education Foundation will continue to offer recruitment activity grants for the 2002-2003 school year. This grant allows a high school metalworking program to offer a recruitment activity - pizza party, field trip, career night - that directly reaches students about to sign up for next year's courses. There are also limited funds available for transportation to IMTS Student Summit. As always, the Foundation accepts grant applications for equipment purchase support and metalworking program funding. Contact the TMA Education Department for details.

The Foundation will be phasing out the IIT/BMTM book scholarship after the spring semester of 2002. In place of this grant, the Foundation has allocated significant funds for the operation of this program - ensuring that it will be sustained by IIT for years to come.

2002 TMA Precision Metalworking Competition

TMA has received slightly more than 400 registrations for the metalworking competition. Of those, 55 were submitted in the NIMS category. Last year there were six.

The Tooling & Manufacturing Association commends all those working toward earning a NIMS credential. Teachers of students who registered for the NIMS project will be receiving details about how students can register with the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. Students who decide to register will have their registration fee paid by the TMA Education Foundation. They may also be eligible for funds to cover further testing fees.

Students not in the TMA contest who wish to earn NIMS credentials are eligible for partial reimbursement for registration and testing expenses. Contact TMA for details.

All NIMS standards are available to download at www.nims-skills.org.

Student Summit

Sept. 4-11, 2002
McCormick Place, Chicago
www.imtsnet.org
(go to IMTS 2002 SHOW, then STUDENT SUMMIT)

Student Summit Stats

Experience what thousands of students and educators have discovered about the latest technology at the International Manufacturing Technology Show.

In 2000, 3,923 students and 605 educators came from 35 states, 13 foreign countries, 28 middle schools 125 high schools, 208 technical schools & community colleges, and 137 universities.

This is an increase over 1998, when attendance totalled 4,063 students and educators from 29 states, 4 foreign countries, 3 middle schools, 43 high schools, 34 technical schools and community colleges, and 45 universities

Don't miss it!

"Despite the recession in manufacturing and the economic downturn, America's manufacturers are [still] having a hard time finding qualified, skilled workers," says a nationwide survey conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers, the Center for Workforce Success, and Anderson consulting.

Eighty percent of manufacturers report a moderate to severe shortage of candidates qualified for skilled manufacturing positions; more than two thirds said they face the most serious shortage in the area of production, which includes machinists, technicians, and engineers. Sixty percent say this lack makes it difficult to meet demand for production and 40 percent report that they cannot implement productivity improvements.

Training investments are up. According to the survey, 52 percent of manufacturers are spending more on training than they did in 1997, citing keeping up with technology as a top reason for that investment.

Some of the training addresses skills gaps in the areas of employability, language and communications, and math.

Students graduating from schools or programs that ensure student achievement in these areas certainly have an edge over lesser skilled people in the workforce seeking positions in manufacturing.

Free to Illinois educators: Surgeons of Steel brochures from TMA

These colorful pamphlets are available in quantity and contain concise valuable information about careers, education, and training related to manufacturing.

Teachers and counselors are encouraged to call TMA and request as many copies as needed to distribute this valuable information to students. (Contact 847/825-1120, bpahl@tmanet.com.)