07/02/07

Lake Michigan College Apprentice Takes Second Place Honors in National Machine Tool Competition

Dustin Strasser, shown here at Metal Processors, Inc., placed second at the National Tooling and Machining Association's 35th Annual National Apprenticeship Competition.

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI - Dustin Strasser of St. Joseph, who recently completed the academic requirements of his tool and die apprenticeship at Lake Michigan College won second place honors at the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) 35th Annual National Apprenticeship Competition held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Strasser, who was enrolled in a U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship program through his sponsor company, Metal Processors, Inc. of Stevensville, represented the Michiana Chapter of the NTMA at the competition.

Over the two-day national competition, the 13 participants were required to demonstrate manual skills and general knowledge in a written exam. The manual skills portion challenged the apprentices on the engine lathe, vertical knee type milling machine and the surface grinder. The contestants were given project blueprints which they had to duplicate. All projects were evaluated per quality control.

"We are very proud of Dustin's performance at the NTMA National Apprenticeship Competition," said Ken Flowers, machine tool instructor at LMC. "The skill level and intelligence that he possesses are truly valuable commodities in today's workplace."

Strasser qualified to compete for the national title after finishing first in the Michiana regional competition at the LMC Bertrand Crossing Campus. LMC has hosted the regional competitions since 1998 and also hosted the NTMA National Apprenticeship Competition at the Bertrand Crossing Campus in 2001. This is the second straight year that the Michiana Chapter's apprentice has placed second in the national competition.

For his second place finish, Strasser received several prizes including a tool chest, gift certificate, credentialing scholarship and a 10-day trip to Switzerland. The trip is part of a Swiss program to further promote cooperation in science, technology, education and industry training between the two countries. After returning to the U.S., Strasser will make a presentation about his experience in Switzerland at the Workforce Development Symposium on October 2 in Chicago.