Connecticut's Technical High Schools Raise the Bar
on Manufacturing Instruction
Three schools adopt NIMS standards; others expected to follow suit
CBIA writer/editor
Students in the machining program at Platt Technical High School are being held to
a higher standard—the NIMS standard, to be exact.
Are today’s graduates prepared for the workplace? Has their education given them the skills they need to succeed? The answers depend on the job—and the school—in question. For their part, Connecticut’s technical high schools have stepped up efforts to make sure their manufacturing grads are job-ready.
At the urging of CBIA member companies, 16 technical high schools with manufacturing technology programs have agreed to align their curricula to the current industry standard. Thanks to a $12,500 grant from the National Science Foundation, CBIA’s Education Foundation is helping them deliver.
Setting the Standard
The most widely accepted standards for precision manufacturing are determined by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), whose stakeholders represent 6,000 American companies. Established in 1995 to maintain a globally competitive workforce, NIMS has developed performance standards for nine distinct Level I machining skills, or “credentials.” Major trade associations in manufacturing have invested more than $7.5 million in 
private funds for the development of these standards and the accreditation of schools that adopt them. Level I credentials are
benchwork
layout
vertical milling
drill press
surface grinding
turning (between centers)
turning (chucking)
CNC milling
CNC turning
In Pennsylvania, students who complete a machining program are required to test for Level I credentials—which often translate into premium wages as well as college credits. As part of a systemwide reform, several Connecticut technical high schools are now working toward NIMS accreditation, an 18-month process that includes certifying teachers and establishing an advisory council to guide curriculum development.
The process begins with a self-study, in which candidate schools rate themselves against NIMS quality measures for safety, instructional rigor, equipment and tooling, integration of national standards, and other criteria. Schools are also responsible for creating a MET-TEC, or metalworking technical evaluation committee, to evaluate students’ projects against tight tolerances and precise specifications. In addition, a team of industry and education representatives conducts site audits, inspecting the facility, equipment, and safety practices and interviewing faculty, students, advisory council members, and administrators.
Schools Get with the Program
Three Connecticut schools—Oliver Wolcott (Torrington), Platt (Milford), and E. C. Goodwin (New Britain)—have begun the accreditation process. In order to graduate, students in their manufacturing programs must demonstrate competency in at least four NIMS Level I machining credentials. Those who achieve all nine credentials receive Machining Level I certification.
To help students master these skills and make it easy for teachers to track their progress, CBIA has provided funding for online training and assessment to complement hands-on classroom instruction. Developed by Tooling University, Web-based courses and exams cover hundreds of manufacturing processes and are available in English, Spanish, German, and Chinese. In a pilot program at Eli Whitney Technical School last year, teachers reported a marked improvement in student work as a result of Tooling U’s training.
Backbone of the economy
“NIMS skills are critical to Connecticut manufacturers,” says Jason Howey, vice president of Okay Industries. The New Britain-based company produces surgical scissors, blades, and precision stamped components and assemblies. “For the first time ever,” Howey says, “we have a comprehensive way of measuring the skills of machinists in training. Previously, all we had to go on was the number of hours completed; now we have demonstrated competencies.”
Dr. Abigail Hughes, superintendent of the Connecticut Technical High School System, agrees. “Adopting NIMS credentials and assessments will increase the rigor of instruction, raise the level of accountability for students, and strengthen the connections between our schools and business and industry,” she says.
More than 10,000 students are enrolled in Connecticut’s technical high schools, working toward their diplomas while developing occupational skills in manufacturing, construction, pre-engineering, computing, automotive services, health and medicine, or hospitality and tourism. “These jobs are the backbone of Connecticut's economy,” said Gov. Jodi Rell in a recent public service announcement, adding, “[Connecticut’s] technical high schools are undergoing many positive changes, with new curriculum, equipment, and state-of-the-art facilities. Our teachers are working hard every day to make sure our students are ready for the challenges of tomorrow, and our partners from business are working with us too, to connect our programs with the needs of the economy.”
