Joshua Kornatowski – Technology & Manufacturing Association, CNC Lathe/Mill+ 

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT

-    Chicago District: $1,000
-    PMA Educational Foundation: $500
-    Total: $1,500

Joshua is a maintenance technician at Walker Manufacturing Group Midwest in Itasca, Illinois, pursuing a career in CNC machining. He began his career in the metalworking industry at age 18, starting as an operator at Marvel Metals in Cicero, Illinois. After six months, he was invited to assist the maintenance department, where he continued to develop his skills over the next two years. 

With several years of experience, he has had the opportunity to work on a wide range of equipment, including turrets, press brakes, spot welders, roll form machines, cut-off presses, forklifts and pallet jacks. Joshua is dedicated to learning as much as he can and building a versatile skill set that opens doors to new opportunities and allows him to contribute to multiple areas of manufacturing. 

He remains focused on maintenance and enjoys working with CNC lathes, a passion that led him to enroll in a CNC Level 1 course at the Technology & Manufacturing Association in Schaumburg, Illinois. Although new to CNC machining, he has quickly developed a strong interest in working with lathes and is confident in his ability to operate and set up machines by the end of the course. He plans to continue his education and expand his skills and knowledge of CNC machining and the metalforming industry.