The Mid-State Technical College Foundation recently accepted a $15,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation, to be directed to a post-secondary program that teaches computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine technology. The money will be used to fund student activities and provide needed industry tools to graduating students starting their careers. This marks the fourth consecutive year Mid-State was awarded the grant, totaling $49,000 to date. “These funds have had a tremendous impact on our ability to take students to trade shows and other events to experience the precision machining industry firsthand,” said Mike Berry, Machine Tool Technician instructor at Mid-State.

Berry added that the grant will also help Mid-State fund precision measuring toolkits at graduation, giving students a goal to work toward and a reward for achieving it. “Employers in the machine tool industry often require their new hires to own their own toolkits,” Berry said. “We’re so grateful to have this grant to help supply our graduates with their own toolkits, removing a costly barrier to getting started in their careers after graduation.”

Started in 1983 by Gene Haas, Haas Automation is now America’s leading builder of machine tools and a billion-dollar company. In 1999 Gene Haas founded the Gene Haas Foundation to provide scholarships and grants to help fill an anticipated huge increase in the demand for skilled technicians in manufacturing, which has been projected to create 2 million unfilled jobs nationwide.

More information about the Mid-State’s Machine Tool Technician program can be found on the programs page.