Developing the Next Machinists

Last Friday, after a busy, exciting week checking out all the latest technology at IMTS (or at least as much as one week would allow), I hurried home from Chicago in time to catch the Grand Re-Opening of the machine shop at one of the local high schools here in Cincinnati.

The machine shop at Colerain High School, operated by Butler Tech, was originally set up in 2006, but in recent months was rebuilt, cleaned up, painted and restocked with some additional equipment. Precision machining companies from around the area are key to the success of programs such as this, as they consulted in and lent a hand to the remodel, contribute to curriculum development, and look to graduates of the program for potential employees. Robin Rutschilling, manufacturing operations manager at Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc., says that the program at Colerain has placed numerous qualified employees at his company.

This year’s program had 42 applicants but was able to accept only 28. According to David Fox, Butler Tech precision machine instructor, the selection process was tough, and candidates were chosen based on grades, attendance and passion. The first group of students in the updated facility began classes on Monday of this week.

The Grand Re-Opening event and ribbon cutting were attended by many current students and graduates and their parents, representatives from Clippard and Butler Tech, and State Representative Bill Blessing.