APEX, NC—May 14, 2009—The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Carolinas District provided funding for all of the North Carolina SkillsUSA high school and postsecondary state precision machining contestants to register with the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS). After registering, the contestants took the online exam for Measurement, Materials and Safety as part of the state contest, and they all successfully earned the credential.
The 2009 NC SkillsUSA State Conference, held April 21-23 in Greensboro, NC, was well supported and attended. In attendance were 1560 contestants and advisors from a wide variety of disciplines, and more than 2500 people. Leadership and skill contests in 102 disciplines were conducted by 300 business and industry representatives, and 100 administrators and educators participated as chairpersons and judges. The conference generated more than $200,000 in scholarships, more than $200,000 of in-kind contributions, and awarded more than $50,000 in prizes.
Winners of state conferences such as this from around the country are invited to the national SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City, MO, June 22-27, 2009. The precision machining contest was conducted at Guilford Technical Community College. Chris Halker, the department chairperson for Machining Technology, coordinated the contest and Norm Gage, an instructor in the program, served as chair.
The Carolinas District was proud to fund the registrations because its members believe that support for the development of skilled craftspeople is paramount to the survival of the metalworking industry.
PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $91-billion metalforming industry of North America—the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating and other value-added processes. Its nearly 1100 member companies include metal stampers, fabricators, spinners, slide formers and roll formers as well as suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. Members are located in 30 countries, with the majority found in North America—in 41 states of the United States as well as Canada and Mexico.
PMA’s Carolinas District provides companies with access to networking, education, training, apprenticeship programs, social events and industry updates at the local level. Meetings typically are held monthly and range in subject matter based on the interest of members. These programs provide excellent opportunities for networking locally, increasing sales, expanding professional expertise and building valuable new business relationships. More information about the district and its upcoming events is available at carolinas.www.pma.org.