Cleveland NTMA Chapter to host 2008 National Apprentice Contest

Feb. 20, 2008

The Cleveland Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association (www.ntma.org) along with Cuyahoga Community College will serve as host to the 36th Annual NTMA/NIMS National Apprentice Contest on April 23-26, 2008. The event will be held at Cuyahoga and the host hotel, the Cleveland Marriott Downtown Hotel.

Ken McCreight of Cuyahoga Community College will serve as the contest coordinator ([email protected]), and Lt. Governor of Ohio and director of development Lee Fisher will serve as the event’s honorary chairman.

The 2007 contest was hosted by the Pittsburgh Chapter of NTMA along with their training partner, New Century Careers. The contest consists of an intense two-day program where competitors are required to produce projects using lathes, mills, and surface grinders as well as demonstrate their general knowledge in a written exam. The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) is used as a qualification requirement. Besides prevailing in their local competition, each regional champion has to successfully complete the online exam for the NIMS Machining Level I: Measurement, Materials, and Safety credential to be eligible for the national contest.

The contest is held to recognize and reward excellence, to promote workforce development in our industry, and to test the knowledge and hands-on skills of graduating students in the precision tooling and machining industry.

The NTMA represents approximately 1600 member companies in the U.S. precision custom manufacturing industry and includes 50 chapters throughout the United States. Members design and manufacture tools, dies, fixtures, molds, special machines, and precision-machined components as well as provide a wide range of engineering, fabrication and assembly services for global customers.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, April 23, 2008 (Arrival and Orientation)
3:00 pm Hotel Check-in Marriott Cleveland Downtown
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Welcome Reception and Facility Tour at Cuyahoga Community College

Thursday, April 24, 2008
6:45 am Bus departs for Cuyahoga Community College
7:00 am Breakfast at Cuyahoga Community College
7:30 am Competition begins
11:30 am Lunch
12:00 pm Competition resumes
4:30 pm First day of competition concludes
5:00 pm Bus departs for Marriott
5:30 pm Contestants on own for dinner and to enjoy Cleveland attractions

Friday, April 25, 2008
6:45 am Bus departs for Cuyahoga Community College
7:00 am Breakfast at Cuyahoga Community College
7:30 am Competition begins
11:30 am Lunch
12:00 pm Competition resumes
4:00 pm Second day of competition concludes
4:30 pm Bus departs for Marriott
5:00 pm Contestants on own for dinner and to enjoy Cleveland attractions

Saturday, April 26, 2008
10:00 am Meet in Marriott Lobby for Cleveland Tour – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
2:00 pm Return to hotel
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Social Hour – Marriott
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Awards Banquet Dinner – Marriott
8:30 pm Photo Session and Wrap up