TMA honors students in annual machining competition

SCHAUMBURG - Nearly 300 students from 22 northern Illinois high schools recently competed in the Technology & Manufacturing Association's 28th annual Precision Machining Competition, designed to encourage students to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing where skilled workers are in heavy demand.

Held at Mazak Corporation's Midwest Technology Center in Schaumburg, the competition recognized 50 students for their work in machining projects such as CAD design, sine bar, grinding vice, CNC turning, CNC milling, CNC CAM, and CNC programming.

Out of the 50 winners, seven students received perfect scores and five were women.

U.S. Education Deputy Assistant Secretary Dr. Casey Sacks, TMA leadership, parents, instructors and company representatives were in attendance as students received their awards and explored possible job opportunities with area manufacturers.

"The next generation of manufacturers continues to increase which means our industry of makers and doers will continue to thrive," said TMA Chairman Rich Hoster.: These students have an incomparable opportunity to enter high-paying, high-performance jobs in high-tech manufacturing for decades to come."

High schools that participated in this year's competition included Cary-Grove, Elk Grove, Hampshire, Harvard, Homewood-Flossmoor, Jefferson (Rockford), John Hersey, Lake Park, Leyden East, Leyden West, Maine East, Maine West, McHenry East, McHenry West, Palatine, Rich East, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, South Elgin, Streamwood, Wheeling, and Woodstock.