The Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation (PMAEF) and the Southern New England District of PMA are excited to announce the 2023 fall educational scholarship recipients! These recipients have shown an interest in continuing their careers in manufacturing through enrolling in academic courses or taking part in an apprenticeship/training program.
Erik Wertz – Stewart EFI, Eyelet Toolmaker Apprenticeship
Scholarship Amount
– PMA Educational Foundation: $250
– Southern New England District: $250
– Total: $500
Erik has one goal in mind, and that is to get to a place in his career where he will be able to both design parts, as well as bring those ideas and concepts into being. Currently employed at Stewart EFI in Thomaston, CT as an Eyelet Toolmaker Apprentice, Erik is progressing toward his goal by attending night classes at CT State Community College, planning to graduate with an associate’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering. He has already earned a certificate in both Fundamentals of Manufacturing Machine Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology, but still has a long way to go.
Erik’s interest in manufacturing began in high school with the school’s FIRST Robotics team, and he later earned the CHS Technology Education Award upon graduation. He is intensely interested in machines such as presses, lathes, mills, grinders and any form of EDM, even though he may not understand them completely, yet! It is an objective to learn as much as he can about manufacturing processes as possible.
His current career plan to become a full-fledged toolmaker, and later a manufacturing engineer, was chosen after talking with engineers, machinists, toolmakers and teachers. After gaining their insight, Erik concluded that the best engineers are those who have practical experience. So, his plan is to become as adept as possible in the actual physical manufacturing process before he becomes an engineer. Should he decide that engineering is not what he hopes it is, then at least he will be a toolmaker, a trade that he thoroughly enjoys, and one that will continue to challenge him.
Ian Newell – Illinois Tool Works Highland Manufacturing, Precision Manufacturing Technology (PMT)
Scholarship Amount
– PMA Educational Foundation: $500
– Southern New England District: $500
– Total: $1,000
Throughout his life, Ian has been “…enamored by the symphony of gears, the precision of tools, and the endless possibilities of technology…” From his early days of constructing LEGO skyscrapers to the hours spent welding and fabricating alongside his father, a world of machinery and engineering has always been his constant companion. This deep-rooted passion for mechanics and innovation led him to the path of an apprentice toolmaker.
For Ian, being hired as an apprentice toolmaker was not merely a career choice; it marked a profound turning point in his life where he truly looked forward to the future. It ignited an incredibly transformative phase, fueling his personal growth, unveiling facets of his character that he never knew existed.
The apprenticeship journey demands long hours in the shop, unyielding dedication to precision and accuracy, as well as an insatiable hunger for more knowledge. Within the world of toolmaking, he discovered a profound sense of fulfillment in the pursuit of perfection. His unwavering commitment to excellence propels him to continually exceed his own expectations, turning each project into a stepping stone for growth and self-improvement.
Ian is now setting his sights on the next chapter of his journey: pursuing a formal education in engineering at the University of Connecticut. He plans to use the PMA Southern New England District Scholarship to help support his pursuit of knowledge and excellence in this field.
Anthony Herdlein – Connecticut Spring and Stamping, Tool and Die Maker Apprenticeship
Scholarship Amount
– PMA Educational Foundation: $250
– Southern New England District: $250
– Total: $500
Anthony is a senior in the Precision Manufacturing program at Cheney Technical High School in Manchester, CT. He is also an employee at Connecticut Spring and Stamping in Farmington, as a tool and die apprentice. At Cheney Tech, he has enjoyed his time learning about milling, turning, grinding, and how to program and operate CNC machines – learning how to program complex parts. It is at Cheney Tech where he has received awards every year as the best student in precision manufacturing and he has continued to improve himself each day.
At Connecticut Spring and Stamping, Anthony has furthered his education by learning what it means to be a tool and die maker—all of the different tasks that tool and die makers must perform, and all of the knowledge they must obtain in their apprenticeship, which includes understanding GD&T and reading complex blueprints. It is at Connecticut Spring and Stamping where he sees his future as a tool and die maker, and it is at Connecticut Spring and Stamping where he hopes to become a tool and die maker and a valued member of the secondary power press department.
The PMA Southern New England scholarship will help Anthony further his education in the manufacturing industry, giving him a valuable jump-start on a college education by using the award to begin his associate’s degree in programming or engineering while continuing his valuable apprenticeship as a tool and die maker at Connecticut Spring and Stamping.
Crismerys Comas – Naugatuck Valley Community College, Manufacturing Technology
Scholarship Amount
– PMA Educational Foundation: $750
– Southern New England District: $1,000
– Total: $1,750
Crismerys is still in high school, but already has plans to get a job in manufacturing before graduating, and combine a job with part-time attendance to Naugatuck Valley CC for manufacturing engineering, having been recently accepted. She already has five certifications: the OSHA 10 certificate; NIMS Job Planning, Benchwork, and Layout; NIMS Materials, Measurement, and Safety; NIMS CNC Mill Operator; and NIMS CNC Lathe Operator.
Last summer, as a junior in high school, she attended Naugatuck Valley CC for a manufacturing program which teaches how to operate different machines. According to Crismerys, “…only high schoolers attended the program, and there were a lot of kids that didn’t know a thing about manufacturing. We did this project in which we had to square a piece of block and then drill forty-two holes into the block. It was such a great experience to learn the (machines) industry and experience how college might be like.”
Crismerys has also spent time as a job shadow, where she learned to operate a variety of machines, met many different people who have been in the industry for years, and experience the diverse career opportunities in manufacturing, as there are many different types of jobs.
Freddy Delgado – Naugatuck Valley Community College, Advanced Manufacturing
Scholarship Amount
– PMA Educational Foundation: $500
– Southern New England District: $1,000
– Total: $1,500
For Freddy, coming from a different culture has been his biggest challenge in achieving his goals. With English as a second language, the communication gap has been a barrier, but his perseverance to continue studying has enabled him to secure work in manufacturing with Memry Corporation, which has also helped him gain knowledge and improve skills to advance in his career. He currently works as an Operator Associate in the proper use of hand tools. He also programs and operates equipment after setup and performs quality tests.
His aspirations are to help him and his family toward better opportunities, which the apprenticeship scholarship will help, including saving money to pay for future enrollment in college classes.
Freddy believes that obstacles will always stand in anybody’s way and that success depends on how the person faces the obstacles. For Freddy, being disciplined and committed are key to reaching his goals, along with strong family support.
Matthew Sisalima – CT State Community College, Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology/Fundamentals of Machine Technology
Scholarship Amount
– PMA Educational Foundation: $500
– Southern New England District: $500
– Total: $1,000
Since starting work in manufacturing and machining with Radial Bearing nearly a year ago, Matthew has been very interested in manufacturing processes. In his current work, the processes are “delicate,” requiring each part to meet exact specifications, and the machines are mostly smaller, like lathes, but the opportunity to move into larger systems and more complex processes continuously motivates him to improve his skills and knowledge.
Matthew aspires to contribute to innovative manufacturing processes, leading teams and projects that drive efficiency, sustainability and quality in production. Throughout his time at Radial Bearing, Matthew’s employer has affirmed that he has demonstrated consistent commitment to the company, exceptional attention to detail, problem-solving, and ensuring that the products he produces meet the highest quality standards. He has honed his skills in precision machining, quality control and team collaboration. His role consists of setting up and operating machines, troubleshooting technical problems and working closely with colleagues to meet production goals. This experience has given him a deep understanding of the complexities of bearing manufacturing and the importance of teamwork in achieving operational excellence.
Matthew is a self-reliant person, balancing a full work schedule in the morning and study in the afternoon. He has a younger sister whom he wants to inspire and prove that whatever one sets out to do with dedication and effort can be accomplished.
The PMA Southern New England District scholarship will enable him to support his continuous quest for knowledge, improve his production skills and abilities to collaborate effectively with colleagues, and succeed as a big brother role model.