MADISON, Wisc., (November 12, 2024) – As the demand for skilled manufacturing workers in the U.S. continues to grow, Tormach is stepping up to equip the next generation of professionals by investing heavily in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. will need to fill four million manufacturing jobs by 2030, with more than half potentially going unfilled due to a shortage of skilled labor. Tormach is addressing this critical gap through the development of a comprehensive CNC metal milling curriculum and the introduction of a new 4th axis for its popular xsTECH Tabletop CNC Router to empower students with essential hands-on skills to help fuel the future of U.S. manufacturing.
“At Tormach, we believe the future of manufacturing begins in the classroom,” said Domenic Giunta, Education Sales Advisor with Tormach. “As a former CTE teacher, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges schools face in preparing students for today’s competitive job market. That’s why I joined Tormach – to help bring cutting-edge, affordable technology to classrooms, and to ensure educators have the support they need to build these essential skills early on.”
Building a CNC Curriculum for the Future
Recognizing the importance of how interactive, practical learning readies students for careers in modern manufacturing and other skilled trades, Tormach is dedicated to advancing CNC education through cutting-edge technology and curriculum development. To further this mission, the company is collaborating with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) to develop a comprehensive CNC metal milling curriculum that certifies students and equips them with industry-recognized credentials for positions in manufacturing and production.
“This curriculum supplements existing school programs with a blend of classroom presentations, labs and exams, and culminates in an in-depth, knowledge-based test,” said Giunta. “This rigorous approach ensures that students not only learn the theory but also demonstrate their competencies through practical lab activities and assessments, making them highly valued by employers.”
Recognizing Excellence in CTE Education
While Tormach is focused on advancing CNC education for the future of manufacturing, it also recognizes the exceptional work being done today in CTE programs across the country through its Instructor of the Year Award program. This annual award is designed to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work of CTE teachers who go above and beyond in preparing their students for successful careers in manufacturing.
Presented at the Annual Leadership Summit for the NC3, the 2024 award went to Danielle Ward of Hilldale High School, who successfully integrated four of Tormach’s xsTECH routers into her curriculum and provided students with practical, applied experience. Every nine weeks, Ward’s students rotate through different curricula, including the xsTECH and Dremel 3D45 printers, to earn certifications that prepare them for future careers.
“Sitting down with Danielle and hearing about her experiences teaching in a STEM lab made it clear that she was enhancing her students’ job readiness while aligning with industry standards,” said Giunta. “Her unique approach and targeted hands-on applications significantly and positively impact them. We are proud to honor her as our 2024 Instructor of the Year.”
By highlighting the incredible contributions of CTE educators like Ward, Tormach aims to inspire the next generation of teachers to continue pushing the boundaries of technical education.
Tormach’s Educators Leading the Way
One of the key differentiators of Tormach’s education program is the expertise of its team. Unlike traditional sales units that focus solely on promoting products, Tormach’s is comprised of several former CTE educators who have firsthand experience in the classroom and bring a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within technical education. The knowledge brought forth by these individuals allows the company to address real-world educational needs through curriculum alignment, hands-on training and industry certification. They are also dedicated to partnering with schools to provide the guidance, resources and ongoing support needed to help other educators navigate the complexities of today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.
“From ensuring students gain exposure to cutting-edge CNC technology and offering workshops and training sessions for instructors, our team has a passion for preparing students for success and fostering a new generation of skilled manufacturers,” added Rob Funk, Education Sales Advisor with Tormach.
New Tools for Learning CNC Fundamentals
Designed to introduce CNC technology in an accessible and user-friendly way, the xsTECH is an entry-level CNC router that is perfect for hands-on learning and provides students with a foundational understanding of CNC fundamentals that will serve them well in future manufacturing careers. It is conveniently sized for craft rooms or makerspaces, effortlessly cuts various materials like plastic, wood and aluminum, and comes standard with Tormach’s free and open source PathPilot® control software. Additionally, the new 4th axis kit for the popular tabletop router was just launched during the fall semester.
“With an ER32 spindle that can hold workpieces up to .75 inches, an adjustable tailstock for workpieces up to eight inches and an integrated homing switch for positional referencing, the addition of the 4th axis enables more advanced operations to help prepare students to work with the types of technology they’ll encounter in real-world manufacturing environments,” Guinta explained.
Join Tormach at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION Conference & Expo
Tormach will be attending the Association for Career and Technical Education’s (ACTE) CareerTech VISION Conference & Expo from Dec. 4-7 in San Antonio, where school administrators, teachers and other attendees will have the opportunity to experience the xsTECH and its 4th axis firsthand and learn more about how Tormach’s solutions can enhance their technical education programs.
Additionally, Giunta will host the “Advanced Manufacturing in the Classroom: Intro to CNC Milling” workshop on Friday, December 6, at 9:00 AM. During this event, participants will learn how to operate and program a CNC mill using the xsTECH and discuss how integrating mills in the classroom reinforces students’ understanding of key math concepts such as Cartesian coordinates, geometry and more.
For those unable to attend the conference, Tormach offers free virtual demos of the equipment with its education team. Learn more at www.tormach.com.
