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Precision Plus In the News: Elkhorn’s Precision Plus Receives State Award

Michael Reader

Lake Geneva Regional News has published an article about Precision Plus which has been chosen by the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction to receive the 2014 “Business Friends of Education Award.” The article features a recount of the strides made in the last year to help educators and students in training and providing apprenticeships for technology careers.

For more information any any of the educational and training initiatives by Precision Plus, please contact Barry Butters, Director of Education at 262-743-1700 or via email.

Precision Plus Inc. Supporting the CNC Boot Camp at the iMET Center in Sturtevant, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

The CNC Boot Camp is an innovative, fast-paced, hands-on program to learn the essentials of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operations. Gateway Technical College, in partnership with the Workforce Development Centers offers this training as a certificate program. Satisfactory completion of Boot Camp courses earn college credit toward a diploma or degree. The Boot Camp is a 14-week program that requires attending class 8-hours a day, 5 days a week.

Image Courtesy of Gateway College

On April 2, 2014, Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training at Precision Plus was invited to make a presentation to the current class on a typical day for CNC machinists at Precision Plus Butters used a PowerPoint about the company and demonstrated the software essential to the programing of the CNC machines. The presentation also included an explanation of the soft skills employers are looking for and the benefit package available at Precision Plus Butters will also participate in a mock interview exercise with the students so that they know generally what to expect on real interviews. “We are excited to support any efforts to help feed the pipeline of machinists,” said Butters.

100% funding is available for qualified Boot Camp participants through the generous support of SC Johnson & Sons, A Family Company.

On March 26, 2014 PMPA Members Took On Capitol Hill

Michael Reader

On March 26, 2014, thirteen members of the PMPA’s  (Precision Machined Products Association) Government Affairs Committee flew into Washington D.C. to discuss several industry key issues with members of the U.S. Congress.

Photo Courtesy of PMPA

These issues included:

  • Tax reform
  • Skills gap
  • EPA and OSHA regulations and NLRB rulings

The group was also able to conduct a PMPA Government Affairs Committee meeting and briefing at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters, which is located across the street from the White House.

Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus was among the delegation.  In the image to the left, Mike and PMPA Executive Director Michael Kobylka stand before the Capitol.

On the image to the right, Mike Reader stands next  Paul Ryan, U.S. Congressman representing Wisconsin’s 1st District.

Read the original report, “PMPA VOICES HEARD ON CAPITOL HILL” here.

 

Precision Plus Actively Supports Local Schools’ Career & Technical Education (CTE) Committees

Michael Reader

Precision Plus is now serving on four local Wisconsin high schools ‘Career & Technical Education’ (CTE) committees: Delavan Memorial High School, Elkhorn Area High School, Whitewater High School, and Beloit Memorial High School.

We are also serving on the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Advisory committees for Elkhorn and Whitewater. Both Mike Reader, President and Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training share these responsibilities. Mike and Barry also are serving on the Wisconsin State PLTW Leadership Committee.

Beloit Memorial High School’s CTE Committee met on April 2, 2014, to discuss goals and share real-life industry experience with educators and students. Pictured from left to right: Chris Klatt (BMHS), Brandon James (ScotForge,  James Ekman (ScotForge), Mike Reader (Precision Plus), Matt Baker (Versa Tool and Die), Jim Hoyt (North American Tool), Zach Ford (ScotForge), and Curt Clansbery (North American Tool).

Precision Plus in Elkhorn Announces Autodesk 3D CAD and PartMaker CAM Additions to Training Classroom

Michael Reader

Precision Plus of Elkhorn, Wisconsin is pleased to announce the addition of eight seats of Product Design Suite Ultimate 3D CAD software ) as a donation from Autodesk,  as well as eight seats of CAM software as a donation from PartMaker to their Training Classroom.

When Roger Orban, Territory Sales Executive–Manufacturing Solutions for Autodesk, visited Precision Plus in January of 2014, he saw the viable inroads being made by Precision Plus in an effort to close the manufacturing skills gap.  So did Hanan Fishman, President of PartMaker, Inc.  Then, something incredible happened:  both companies committed to donating CAD and CAM software respectively, to support the active effort.  Precision Plus’ goal is to provide courses on advanced machining to local high school students.

On behalf of the entire Precision Plus Team and the future manufacturing professionals who will come through the training class, Mike Reader, President, and Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training wish to thank PartMaker and Autodesk for their generous donation. The marriage of the 3D CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) software Inventor  from Autodesk with the CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software from PartMaker will allow students to learn the complete design process from print to product.

Precision Plus Receives Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Towards Their Next Generation of CNC Machinists in Walworth County Project

Michael Reader

Next Generation of CNC Machinists in Walworth County Project Grant

Referred to as the “Blueprint for Prosperity,” Wisconsin’s 2013 Special Session AB2 initiative was signed into law to provide millions of dollars in additional funding to expand the Department of Workforce Development’s  (DWD) Wisconsin Fast Forward Program. On March 28, 2014, the DWD announced the grant recipients that will address high school pupil training, as authorized by the legislation.

The Office of Skills Development of Wisconsin’s DWD sought applications from Wisconsin businesses in collaboration with school districts, educational partners and/or technical colleges to train and hire high school pupils.  Successful graduates of the program should receive employment opportunities in recognized high-demand fields with industry-recognized certifications.

On March 28, 2014, the DWS published the following proclamation:

DWD intends to award Precision Plus.in Elkhorn a grant of $10,379 for their Next Generation of CNC Machinists in Walworth County project to train 8 high school students for careers as CNC Machinists. Successful trainees will receive National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification. Pupils who successfully complete the program will be provided placement opportunities at Precision Plus

Precision Plus looks forward to implementing  the necessary steps to roll this project out.

For more information about this program, please contact Barry Butters, Director of Education at 844.743.1700 or by email.

Read the complete press release here.

Precision Plus in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Continues Its Education Outreach

Michael Reader

Pictured from left to right: Ryan Rewey, Jon Watson, Bill Pfund, Deb Prowse, Dawn Skrzypchak. Not pictured was Katie McQueen.

Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, hosted a new group of teachers from Beloit Memorial High School on Thursday, March 27, 2014. Ryan Rewey, the Director of Career and Technical Education for the Beloit School District arranged to have several math and science teachers as well as a guidance counselor from Beloit Memorial H.S. visit Precision Plus to see that STEM education is truly at the heart of the manufacturing industry.  The educators were given an overview of how Precision Plus uses the Inventor 3D CAD software coupled with the PartMaker software to program the Fanuc controllers on the CNC machines.  Precision machining is a perfect example of where STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) all come together.  There is the science of metal properties, technology in the CNC programming, engineering in the feeds, speeds and chip formation and the math involved on the geometry of the parts themselves.

Butters also traveled to Union Grove High School on Tuesday, March 11th, where principal Tom Herman arranged presentations to the Math, Science, Tech Education and Guidance Departments.  Butters spoke to the teachers about the nature of the work done at Precision Plus, as well as discussing the internship opportunities the company offers.  Butters felt the time spent at Union Grove with 26 of their teachers had big impact in the on the future of the industry, as it helped disperse the unfounded image of manufacturing as a boring, dirty and dangerous field.

Lastly, Butters most recent classroom visit was to Lake Geneva Badger High School where he spoke to all of Clint Geissler metals classes.  The informative message to the students was about today’s manufacturing and the type of schooling needed to pursue a career in manufacturing.  The presentation also included a discussion of the soft skills all employers are looking for.

Butters plans to attend a Career Day event at the Real School, which is part of the Racine Unified School District, on Thursday, April 17th and is scheduling a visit to speak to Casey Miller’s metals classes at Burlington High School in the near future.

Precision Plus Attends Small Business Listening Session with Congressman Paul Ryan on March 20, 2014

Michael Reader

Congressman Paul Ryan listened to residents and answered constituent questions during a listening session for small business owners at the Monte Carlo in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Meetings like this help Paul stay in touch with those he represents in Washington while better understanding their needs and concerns as he drafts and votes on legislation in Congress. Barry Butters the Director of Education and Training attended the session.

Paul Ryan serves As the Congressman for Wisconsin’s 1st District.

Precision Plus Inc. Visits Waukesha County Technical College’s CNC Facility

Michael Reader

Bob Novak, Associate Dean of Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) invited Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training at Precision Plus to tour their machining labs, which took place on Tuesday, March 22, 2014.

The school offers five areas of specialty as part of the General Manufacturing Degree Program:

  • Automation Systems
  • CNC
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Tool and Die
  • Welding

During the first year, all students take general courses, followed by a second year of career-specifc courses determining their specialization.

WCTC is a first class school offering a wide variety of machining degree opportunities.  Dean Novak added, “We firmly believe in a machining program that is well grounded in basics metal cutting before the introduction to CNC machining.” Their facility and curriculum attest to that.

Precision Plus Supports DECA and Participates in Wisconsin’s Competition’s Judging

Michael Reader

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is a great organization, which provides a comprehensive learning program that enhances students’ future options preparing them for college and careers. By offering them co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, students are able to apply learning in the context of business, connect with business and the community, and participate in real-world competition. Student members leverage their DECA experience to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, and experienced leaders. DECA’s mission is “To prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.”

The DECA Wisconsin State Competition was held at the Grand Geneva Resort on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18-19, 2014. Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, represented Precision Plus by serving as a judge for the competition. “Seeing the students present a solution to a problem given to them minutes before their presentations was amazing. They showed creativity and resourcefulness in these presentations,” said Butters. It was my first time judging and we will certainly continue to support this organization.”

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