1. DACUM Research Chart for
Precision Machinist
DACUM Panel
Representing 293 years of industry experience
Todd Beckes, Manufacturing Engineer
FMC Technologies, Inc., Erie, PA
Kit Carson, RCTC Instructor, retired Manufacturing Engineer
Girard, PA
Lori Deever, Workforce Development Manager
Industrial Sales & Mfg., Inc., Erie, PA
Andrew Foyle, President
H & H Machined Products, Erie, PA
Kyle Gates, Precision Machining Instructor (Observer)
Crawford County Career & Technical Center, Meadville, PA
Bill Hilbert Jr., President
Reddog Industries, Inc., Erie, PA
Jim Hillwig, Precision Machining Instructor (Observer)
Crawford County Career & Technical Center, Meadville, PA
Dave Jacquel, Human Resources Manager
Modern Industries, Inc., Erie, PA
Alyssa Smith, Sourcing Commodity Specialist
FMC Technologies, Inc., Erie, PA
Kevin S. Smith, MBA, SPHR, HCS
Vie Associates, Erie, PA
Rob Suprynowicz, Precision Machining Instructor (Observer)
Erie County Technical School, Erie, PA
Kirk E. Vroman, Manager, Program Management
LORD Corporation, Erie, PA
James F. Willats, President
Machining Concepts, Inc., Erie, PA
Aldo Jackson, Ph.D., Director
Erie County Technical School, Erie, PA
Jan Kennerknecht, DACUM Facilitator
Supervisor of Instructional Support Services
Erie County Technical School, Erie, PA
Elaine Shaffer, Business & Industry Partnerships
Coordinator
Erie County Technical School, Erie, PA
Developed by
Modified DACUM Workshop
June 13, 2014

2. WORKER BEHAVIORS
Researches company before interviewing
Presentable at an interview
No piercings or gauges in ears
Shows up for work
Can pass a drug test
Prompt
Attentive to details
Takes pride in work
Follows written and verbal instructions
Passionate
Motivated
Respectful
Displays personal integrity
Accountable
Trustworthy
Responsible- takes ownership
Sets a good example
Gets along with others
Asks, verifies and presents solutions
Looks for better ways to do things
Utilizes senses on the job
Participates in monthly safety meetings and
completes required trainings (Safety Data Sheets,
Hearing Conservation, Respiratory Protection, etc.)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Problem solving
Understands lean manufacturing principles and
perishable tooling
Spelling and grammar is accurate
Knows how to find information.
Knowledge of metal to metal.
CURRENT TRENDS
Companies are struggling to hire enough skilled
workers.
Machinist jobs are viewed as not appealing; there is
a misunderstanding of the high skill levels required.
Manufacturing companies are doing company
brochures, videos, the work environment is cleaner
than the public thinks.
Employees with math skills are desired.
Manufacturing is alive and well.
We are starting to see higher education get involved
in manufacturing—example, Mechatronics programs.
(It doesn’t have to be one or the other, college or
work.)
There is greater awareness of the types of careers
that are available in manufacturing.
There is a lack of parent involvement in guiding their
child to choose machining careers.
The National Tooling and Machining Association
(NTMA) has benchmarking tests for high school
students (aptitudes); then job shadowing follows.
CURRENT TRENDS, continued
With the emergence of oil and gas industry, highly
corrosive-resistant materials are required.
Valving work is increasing.
There is more accountability for certifications for
materials, training of employees, identifying
materials coming in, record-keeping, traceability,
liability.
Attention to detail is becoming more important.
The basic work has gone overseas, what companies
here have now involves higher engineering, higher
quality, more challenging quality requirements.
There are more value-added requirements
demanded for parts being shipped (and for the
products themselves).
There are not enough people who can repair higher
tech equipment.
Robotic welder repairs require employee training.
Everything needs to be done in one operation.
Many younger employees don’t have a driver’s
license.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
3-D Printing
Equipment is becoming more and more advanced-
this puts more emphasis on training and on
industrial maintenance.
Mechatronics
Operator skill levels will need to increase.
Companies are conducting internal training
programs.
Assessments to identify needs
The use of robots will increase.
CONCERNS
Problem solving is critical. We need to incorporate
more problem solving in our training.
We are not finding enough skilled labor, and
trainable people.
A lot of money is invested in training employees,
then we lose them to other companies.
Finding people to work flexible, off-shifts
When the cost of fuel increases, the cost of
specialty materials increases.
Size of equipment, parts are increasing.
Uncertainty of costs involved in health benefit
changes. (increasing cost of employee benefits;
how will government requirements affect costs?)
Some companies lose employees to other
companies offering better benefits. Human
Resources will become more involved in recruiting
employees.
Keeping the good employees we already have

3. CERTIFICATIONS RECOMMENDED
 National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS)
certifications, Machining Level I:
o Measurement, Materials & Safety
o Job Planning, Benchwork & Layout
o Manual Milling Skills I
o Turning Operations: Turning Between
Centers
o Turning Operations: Turning Chucking
Skills
o Grinding Skills I
o Drill Press Skills I
o CNC Turning: Programming Setup &
Operations
o CNC Milling: Programming Setup &
Operations
o CNC Turning: Operations
o CNC Milling: Operations
Source: www.nims-skills.org
 Blueprint certifications
 Shop math certifications
 Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance (GD&T)
Certification.
 Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC)
certifications
o The Certified Production Technician
(CPTAE) program is for front-line
manufacturing and includes five
assessments: Safety; Quality &
Measurement; Manufacturing Processes
and Production; Maintenance
Awareness; and Green Production.
Individuals earn one certificate for each
assessment passed. Individuals who
earn the first four certificates (not
including Green) will receive a full-
CPTAE certification. Note: At this time,
due to the emerging nature of Green
Production, it is not required for full-
CPTAE. For more information, please
visit our Production Certification page.
o The Certified Logistics Technician
(CLTAE) program is for front-line
material handling and includes two
assessments: foundational level Certified
Logistics Associate (CLA) and mid-level
CLT. CLA is a prerequisite for CLTAE.
For more information, please visit our
Logistics Certification page.
Source: http://www.msscusa.org/certification/
ADULT EDUCATION TRAINING NEEDS
 Blueprint reading
 Shop math and basic measuring
 Use of a manual lathe or a mill
 Employability skills
ADVICE FOR OUR STUDENTS
Todd Beckes, Manufacturing Engineer
“Work your way up. No one will hand success
to you.”
Kit Carson, Adult Education Instructor
“Never stop learning. Show respect for everyone.”
Lori Deever, Workforce Development Manager
“Show up. Be serious about your career and
people will share their knowledge with you.”
Andrew Foyle, President, H&H Machined Products
“Never stop learning.”
Kyle Gates, Precision Machining Instructor
“Don’t underestimate common sense.”
Bill Hilbert, Jr., President, Reddog Industries
“Come to work everyday early and stay late.
Listen and learn.”
Jim Hillwig, Precision Machining Instructor
“Don’t be afraid to learn. Learn all you can.”
Dave Jacquel, Human Resources Manager
“This is a respectable career that stacks up
against any college degree.”
Alyssa Smith, Supply Chain Specialist
“It is better to ask questions than to pretend to
know the answer.”
Kevin Smith, Vie Associates
“Make sure you’re not the smartest person in the
room.”
Rob Suprynowicz, Precision Machining Instructor
“Pay attention.”
Kirk Vroman, Manager
“Be a good team mate. You can’t do it by
yourself.”
James Willats, President, Machining Concepts
“Carry a notepad. Keep track of what you’re
learning.”
TOP THREE PRIORITIES
1. Safety
2. Quality
3. Cost
The Erie County Technical School thanks this
dedicated panel of industry professionals for
providing their expertise. All input will be analyzed
for program improvement.

4. Equal Opportunity Employer Policy of Erie County Technical School
Erie County Technical School is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, sex and handicap in its activities, programs or employment practices as required by
Title VI, Title IX and Section 504. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact the
Business Manager, Terri Birchard, the Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator at 8500 Oliver Road, Erie, PA 16509,
(814) 464-8600. The Erie County Technical School is proud to be an ISO 9001:2008 Registered School.
See attached PA Program of Study Analysis Document for Industry Importance Ratings and Recommended Additional Tasks.