Focusing on the Future

Please let me take a moment of your time to introduce myself and the Precision Manufacturing program at Pike Central High School. My name is Mark Scott and I am a full-time instructor for Vincennes University. In the summer of 2010, I was given the opportunity to coordinate with PCHS personnel to implement and teach the courses at Pike Central High School.

Perhaps you have seen recent stories on the CBS Evening News, Bill O'Reilly on Fox News, and articles in the Wall Street Journal addressing the critical shortage of skilled technicians in most industries. The Precision Manufacturing program was implemented in the Fall of 2010 to meet the needs of local and regional industries and to give our graduates additional employment opportunities. This program prepares students for successful entry into the work force or into the Vincennes University programs of Advanced Manufacturing, Tool and Die, or Plastic Injection Mold Tooling.

The courses within the Precision Manufacturing program are actual VU courses, so students earn both high school credits and college credits of up to 15 hours at NO EXPENSE. These courses would cost over $170 per credit hour, which would save students over $2500 if enrolled in the two-year program on campus. Essentially, their core classes for the first semester are completed before they even arrive on campus.

Classes at PCHS meet daily in a three-hour block in the new, state-of-the-art facility utilizing both manual and CNC machining equipment.

Skilled technicians who are seeking employment in manufacturing have nearly a 100% placement rate. Employment opportunities exist locally, regionally, statewide and even across the United States. Examples of employment opportunities include automotive, aerospace, plastics, orthopedic/ health care/ life sciences, stamping, energy, motorsports, and other manufacturing industries.

Those who graduate from the above-mentioned VU programs start out earning $35,000 to $40,000 annually and can quickly increase that to $50,000 to $75,000+ as they gain experience. The program offered at Pike Central gives students a head start into dynamic jobs.

Anyone interested in the Precision Manufacturing program at PCHS and would like more information may Email me at mscott@pcsc.k12.in.us.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

VU Job Fair: Plenty of Headhunters Hit Tech Job Fair

From: http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/local/southern_indiana/vu-job-fair

By Mike Grant

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) - The spring like weather has some college students thinking about the end of the school year, graduation and looking for a job.
At Vincennes University the jobs came looking for the students in the technology department.
The job fair is giving indications that the economy may be ready to make a move in the positive direction.
The lobby of the technology building at Vincennes University was filled with companies looking for help.
About 40 companies both big and small took part in the job fair.
Officials say the number was about double from the previous year.
"Hopefully, it says the economy is looking up," said Job Fair Organizer Rick Coleman with Vincennes University. "That there are great jobs available. It's just finding the right student for the right job."
The past couple of years companies came to campus looking for just a few new workers.
That's not the case this time.
"We're looking for a lot," said Natasha Freeman with Marion Manufacturing. "I would say at least 20. We're looking to fully staff 3 shifts by the end of the year."
The participating businesses ranged from mom and pop operations to multi-national corporations and one thing they are all said is if you have the skills they have the job.
"CNC, robotics, maintenance some of those skill sets and qualities is what my companies are going to need and look for," said Erin Ricke with Express Employment Professionals, a recruiting firm for more than 70 small to mid-size companies in Marion and Johnson Counties.
Those are skills that many V.U. Technology students have, so after a couple of slow years it appears this time around they may not just have jobs.
They may have options.
"You know that they're here trying to hire you," said Advanced Manufacturing student Andrew Stuckey of Odon, "so it takes the pressure off a little bit. It makes it a little bit easier to talk to them."
"Now it's starting to open up to young kids like us and that's great because it gives a chance to get out in the real world," said Diesel Technology student Don Weiner of Bloomington.
And with companies competing for skilled workers, technology graduates look to have a chance in the recovering economy.
Many of the companies said they were also looking for people for assembly and even administrative jobs.

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