TechCred Program Guidelines

Ohio’s TechCred Program gives business the chance to upskill current and future employees in today’s tech-infused economy. Businesses who submit successful applications will be reimbursed up to $2,000 per credential, when current or prospective employees complete eligible technology-focused credentials. Click the link below for details.

TechCred Program Guidelines

Now is the time to spring into action and begin a career in CNC machining!!

CLASSES STARTING SOON!

Congratulations to our ASPRA Tech Center graduates! See who they are and where they are working.

ASPRA Tech Center Graduates.

Jarraya A. — Norman Noble Inc.

R. Bryce A. — ATI Machining

W. Russell B. — Precision Production

Joshua C. — GearTec Inc.

Aaron H. — NN Mobile Solutions

Buddy H. — Lincoln Electric

Andrew H. — Precision Production

Logan K. — MDF Tool Corporation

Ashley N. — Jergens Inc.

Ronald P. — General Plug & Mfg. Co.

Michael P. — Precision Production

Billy R. — Lincoln Electric

Thomas W. — Achilles Aerospace Products

Ronald W. — JH Industries Inc.

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THE PLAIN DEALER

By Marcia Pledge

Men rebuild their lives, careers.

Michael Johnson wanted to be optimistic as he flipped through a brochure for the Towards Employment agency in March. Yet all he felt was skepticism. A fruitless six-month job search makes a 21-year-old feel that way.

Towards Employment is one of 20 social-service agencies that benefit from this year’s Plain Dealer Holiday Spirit drive. Since 1976, Towards Employment has served more than 100,000 people. It helps people land and keep jobs.

“I was skeptical because of what some people told me about the job-readiness program. It’s not easy. You have to really work hard, ”Johnson said.

The agency’s clients vary greatly. Some have never touched a computer. Others need help with soft skills like communication. Everybody gets interview training.

Johnson credits the agency for helping him get two jobs. A 30-day work experience turned into a full-time job at Planet Aid, a Solon nonprofit that collects and sells donated clothes to support impoverished areas around the world. And Towards Employment sent him to the ASPRA Tech Center, where the director later recommended him to an employer. Brooklyn Heights-based Profile Grinding hired Johnson in September, a month before he finished his machinist training.

“It worked out for me better than I ever expected,” Johnson said.

“I never had to look for a job. Jobs came to me. But I was totally prepared for all of it. Towards Employment helps break down the employment process with test questions and scenarios. I brought in my A game and used everything they taught me. I was pumped.”

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Turn of the Screw

In Tepid Job Scene, Certain Workers Are in Hot Demand’

Swiss-Style’ Machinists Doing Ultra-Precise Tasks Typify Shortage of Skills

Mr. Schrader Gets Courted

By TIMOTHY AEPPEL

Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

HOLYOKE, Mass. –Two years ago, Robert Schrader got a call from a recruiter trying to lure him from his job in New Hampshire to opportunities as far away as Florida. He eventually took a new position in Massachusetts, after he had negotiated a raise, an expense-paid move and better health coverage. Since then, his old boss in New Hampshire has tried to woo him back. Mr. Schrader isn’t a hotshot young executive with a Harvard MBA. He’s a machinist.

That group in recent times has been associated more with unemployment lines than with the corporate recruiting circuit. But Mr. Schrader isn’t your average blue-collar worker. He is a “Swiss style” machinist, a specialty developed more than a century ago to make tiny, very precise gears and shafts for the European watch industry. More recently, Swiss-style machining has been married with advanced computer technology to become essential in the precision manufacture of a wide range of products, from bone screws to roller balls for Bic pens. Mr. Schrader’s employer in Holyoke, Marox Corp., makes medical implants and instruments.

The steady flow of skilled immigrants who once filled many top craftsman jobs has dried up. The result is that at a time when many U.S. industrial jobs have been lost to low-cost countries such as China, American factories have a shortage of certain highly skilled workers. Other hot factory skills include some types of specialty welding and workers adept at programming the latest computerized production machinery. Mr. Schrader and others like him are part of a new working-class elite in such demand that some employers are even offering signing bonuses of a few thousand dollars. The shortage comes at a bad time for U.S. manufacturers, who are finally seeing an upswing in business. If they can’t find the skilled workers they need, many companies could ultimately find it tougher to remain players in globally competitive markets.

Since the latest machinery is increasingly available in many other parts of the world as well, “the only way to keep a competitive edge is by having the skilled people who know how to get the most out of those machines,” says Stephen Mandes, executive director of the National Institute of Metalworking Skills, a group that sets worker skill standards.

Some companies are already turning away business for lack of expert workers. Accu-Swiss Inc., which makes specialized metal parts for medical and defense industries, has turned down between 10% and 20% of potential business this year for lack of Swiss-style machinists to staff its factory, says Sohel Sareshwala, president of the Oakdale, Calif., company.

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The ASPRA Tech Center is offering a CNC Swiss Machine Operations Program. They recently submitted the program to Workforce Area #5 for consideration of approval. The program was approved and will address the growing need for competent operators of this technology. More and more machining companies are transitioning to these machines as they realize the long-term benefit over conventional CNC processes. The program provides both classroom instruction and hands on experience. ASPRA Tech Center, located on Brookpark Road in Cleveland offers the only Swiss Machine Operations program in Ohio. In Lake County, eighteen (18) companies utilize this machinery and have a combined 91 installed machines. 12% of the installed CNC Swiss-type high precision market is in Lake County which ranks #6 in Ohio. Companies in Lake County utilizing this technology include: Highland Products (13 machines), Trust/Miltronics (10 machines), Astro Medical (14 machines), Cobb Industries (6 machines), Arrow Machine (1 machine), Worthington Precision (3 machines), Kaeper Machine (1 machine), Star Precision (1 machine), Accurate Metal (7 machines), Guyer Precision (12 machines), No Limit Swiss (2 machines), Apollo (1 machine), Slabe (6 machines), Quality CNC (7 machines), Duke Manufacturing (1 Machine), TC Service (1 machine), Fluid Line Products (2 machines), and Swagelok (3 machines).

ASPRA Tech Center, which employs eight (8) individuals, all graduates of their program, works closely with area employers. Tim Duffy, ASPRA Tech Center Director informs that all graduates of this program have been placed. As of this date, no one is enrolled and there are at least 10 additional job openings. In short, the demand is there for this program.

Swiss machine technology allows for the machining of very small parts with the same rigidity utilized with conventional CNC machines on larger parts. Because of a revolutionary design concept, CNC Swiss lathes are able to machine small diameters without the deflection of material or vibration often encountered on standard lathes.

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CNC Training Program

Students Acquiring Manufacturing Skills

Applicant Information for Lincoln Electric

www.lincolnelectric.com

Students Acquiring Manufacturing Skills – CNC Training Program.

ASPRA Tech Center’s CNC Training Program is a 272 hour training program combined with a 320 hour paid internship that is focused on the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as an operator on a CNC Mill or Lathe.

The program starts off with 272 hours of technical training, covering:

1. Read and interpret blueprints, perform basic shop math, create a CAD rendition of a part of moderate complexity, properly dimension the part.
2. Create a process sheet or order of operation to make the part.
3. Write and edit a CNC program from a print of moderate complexity and process sheet data using a combination of CAD based download and “at machine” edits. (Fanuc format).
4. Identify and install tooling for the job. Qualify same.
5. Perform all offsets, touch offs, indicate vise, edge find. Enter appropriate data prior to dry run.
6. Utilize all basic inspection equipment including comparator.
7. Dry run.
8. Make the part. (Students are required to produce one milling and one turning part at minimum and document the job properly, including in-process inspection.)

Students who successfully complete all training and attendance requirements of the technical training will begin an 8 week, 40 hour per week, paid internship at Lincoln Electric.

Requirements:

1. Completion of Select Assessment for Manufacturing Test (Lincoln Electric Personality Test)
2. Ability to attend all program sessions
3. Interview at Lincoln Electric
4. Agree to background check/drug test/nicotine test/employment physical

Students who successfully complete the program will receive an employment offer from Lincoln Electric.

Call Sameer Sinha for details!!!! 216-459-9292

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