Highlights of the 33rd Annual National NTMA Apprentice Competition May 11, 2005 PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Since 1976, the Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA Apprenticeship program has been helping local precision manufacturers train their employees with the skills they need to compete. By combining the technical classroom instruction of the NTMA Apprenticeship program with a company-sponsored, on-the-job training, manufacturers are able to gain all the benefits of a self-run apprenticeship program, without the cost and time investment typically needed to run an apprenticeship program. The talent of apprentices who participate in this proven program is showcased every year through the Annual Regional and National NTMA Apprentice Competitions. From May 4-7, 2005, the Pittsburgh Chapter was proud to bring the 33rd Annual National Apprentice Competition for the first time to Pittsburgh . The competition was co-presented by New Century Careers and the Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA; and co-hosted by New Century Careers Training Innovation Center and the Learning Institute for the Growth of High Technology Center (L.I.G.H.T.) which is operated by Penn United Technology, Inc.
For three days, thirteen regional champions from eight states competed in the "Super Bowl of Precision Machining" testing their knowledge and ability in lathe, mill, precision grinding and, for the first-time, CNC machining. Through the efforts of National Education Team Leader Harry Moser (Charmilles / Mikron) and member Mark Lashinske (Modern Industries), a pilot CNC project module was added to this year's competition.
First Place honors this year went to Bryan Bittle (Chelar Tool & Die) from St. Louis. Paul Florido (Bechdon Company) of the Maryland Chapter took second, and Rhett Sweeney (Modern Industries Inc.) representing the Arizona Chapter in Phoenix was third. Daniel Briscoe (Beech Mold & Tool) from the Kentuckiana Chapter took the honor as the first winner of the NIMS CNC Competition. Pittsburgh was superbly represented by Wayne Sumpman from Hamill Manufacturing. This event was made possible through the generous support of THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS, Penn United Technology, Inc. and their L.I.G.H.T. Training Center, Charmilles Technologies Corp. / Mikron Corp., Kennametal, Inc., ACU-RITE Companies, Inc., Tooling University, H. Gerstner & Sons, the National Center for Defense Manufacturing & Machining, the National Insititute of Metalworking Skills, and the following sponsors:
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