Central Maine Community College will offer a program leading to a Certificate in Machine Tool Technology in conjunction with the River Valley Technology Center starting on May 14. "We encourage anyone who is considering a career in precision manufacturing to look into this program, even if they are not certain that they have the skills to take college-level courses" said Diane Dostie, Dean of Corporate and Community Services at Central Maine Community College.

Qualifying students will be able to take the courses at no charge. To find out if they qualify for free courses, people should contact the Rumford Career Center at 364-3738 or 1-800-421-7915 or the Norway Career Center at 743-7763. For more information about the Machine Tool Technology Certificate contact the Central Maine Community College Admissions Office at 1-800-891-2002. Applications must be submitted by April 23rd; they may be obtained from the Career Center in Norway, Rumford or Wilton, or from the Central Maine Community College website: www.cmcc.edu/admissions. Applicants should mark "River Valley Technology Project" at the top of their application before submitting it.

Our most sincere thanks to MMPA member, Maine Maritime Academy for hosting our March 4th tour! Rob Giffen, MMA Machine Tool Program Director and three MMA students facilitated the tour of the machine and welding shop, classrooms and a tour of the ship!

Marine Engineering Operation students Andrew Farrington (sophomore) and John Albaum (junior) and Marine Technologies Operations student, Greg Foote (junior), gave a full tour of the ships' engine room, pumps, and control room, eating and bunking areas.

After dinner, MMA's Dr. Paul Wlodkowski, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Marine Systems Engineering made a presentation titled "The Magic of Magnetostrictive Metals…and opportunities for the metal products industry in Maine". He presented the "Smart materials: concept to include Electrostriction. Magnetostriction, Piezoceramics and Rare Earth Metals. Dr. Woldowski also presented information regarding Precision Manufacturing and Active Machining Systems.

In conclusion, Dr. Wlodowski suggested how MMPA could benefit. Through our connections with Maine Technology Institute (MTI) - www.mainetechnology.org, partner with academia; involve Precision Manufacturing Incubator www.rivervalleycenter.com, and explore the SBIR program to enhance competitiveness. MMPA is currently represented by Lisa G. Martin on the MTI Precision Manufacturing board and the board of directors at the River Valley Technology Center.

TurboClean manufacturers small parts cleaning machines and their desire and intention is to partner with a Maine company. The first step is to identify Maine companies that would be interested in such a partnership and that are able to act as the marketing, sales and distribution partner within their current customer base in Maine, New England and the U.S.

TurboClean's first priority is to partner with a Maine company that will help them market and sell their machines in the U.S. Some MMPA members have requested and received information on TurboClean. MLM International just completed site visits to 3 MMPA Members in early March for potential match-up.

• The first objective is to finalize a partnership agreement which would include 1-2 machines on stock as customer demo units and for regional fair exhibits, appropriate U.S. sales literature, training of salesmen, etc.
• The next phase would be to watch sales, determine if there is a future in the U.S. market, and then manufacture the machines in Maine. Which would substantially reduce the cost of production, eliminate high transportation and shipping expenses, and convert the German machine to a U.S. spec machine (mechanical, electrical, electronic components).

With satisfied customers in North Carolina and New Jersey we must move quickly to ensure that Turbo-Clean will locate in Maine and partner with a Maine company.

MLM International will be partnering with MMPA for several future international prospect opportunities for our members.

For more information contact MMPA or
Rick Myatt - MLM International
Tel: 011-49-6266-929711
myatt@t-online.de

Committee Members
Colin Baker, Industry Research Economic Development; Dean Duplessis, NMCC; Lisa G. Martin, MMPA; John Rhode, SBA; Rachel Lynch, Market Development Center; Wade Merritt, Maine International Trade Commission; Rod Thompson, NMDC/SBDC; Brian Sutherland, NMDC/MEP; Mike Howard, SATC; Terry Wade, Smith & Wesson

Overview
The Northern Maine "Matchmakers" Business Conference Planning Committee (Planning Committee) met for the first time to discuss and develop a strategy for what could become an annual regional event. More specifically, the event would provide "partnership" opportunities for manufacturing-based businesses across the region, state and Western New Brunswick. Furthermore, the event would feature modern training programs and facilities (NMCC) required by industry to support both business growth and sustainability. Local economic development (NMDC) and state trade associations (MMPA) will play an important role in identifying resources, market opportunities, diversification opportunities, funding sources and the like.

The catalyst for this initiative stems from the "Aroostook County Economic Cluster Report" (Part 1: Analysis & Part 2: Marketing Strategy) as developed by Planning Decisions for the Northern Maine Development Commission.

The Executive Summary of the Analysis states "Precision manufacturing of metal products is a small but important activity in Aroostook County. Acme-Monaco in Presque Isle, First Technology in Caribou, and Smith and Wesson in Houlton are key companies, as are other local metals fabricators serving the agriculture and wood products industries. While this is not enough to comprise a "cluster", there are also a number of large metals firms just across the border in New Brunswick that increase the market for developing needed industry supports. Of particular importance is the expansion of the metals technology program at the Northern Maine Community College as a potential source for well-trained (and well-paid) employees for growing the metals industry throughout the region." The "Precision Manufacturing Marketing Plan" as developed as part of the overall Cluster Report Marketing Strategy is an attachment to this document.

Due to the broad scope and desired outcomes of such an event, it was decided by all in attendance to move the event to Fall '04 in lieu of the proposed April 28-30, 2004 time frame. The event would be centered on NMCC's Precision Metals Manufacturing Program - as a HAAS Technical Education Center (HTEC), Northern Maine Community College offers a unique opportunity to attract participants throughout the region, state and portions of New Brunswick.

Founded in 1988, Women Unlimited is a statewide organization based in Augusta whose mission is to improve the economic well-being of Maine women by providing access to, and support in, trade, technical and transportation careers. Through their Job Bank, Women Unlimited works closely with employers across Maine to offer jobs to qualified women. When necessary, they support these women as they enter and succeed in construction, machining, commercial transportation, and other careers. They are recognized as a national model, placing 100-200 women annually in rewarding jobs with Maine businesses

In addition to the Job Bank, they offer consultation services to businesses who want to strategically plan for recruiting and retaining more women. One of their most successful programs is "Adventures In Trades," which matches interested women with employers who will allow job shadowing for two weeks, while they pay the woman minimum wage. At no cost to the employer except for time, a company and a prospective worker can get a feel for one another. This program usually results in a successful job placement, satisfying both the jobseeker and the employer.

Since its inception, Women Unlimited has trained over 800 women in more than 80 training programs, offering Class B Commercial Drivers Licenses, Blueprint Reading, and introductory courses in Heavy Equipment Operation and Hand and Power Tools. They also assist the Maine Department of Transportation with its nationally recognized On The Job Training program for women and minorities working in road and bridge construction.

Women Unlimited can help your company meet its labor needs. To list your job openings with them, or for more information, call them at (800) 281-5259 or visit their website: www.womenunlimited.org. They are eager to work with you!

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National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Validation Forum

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National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Validation Forum

Last month, the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) hosted a business forum in Manchester New Hampshire with a group of business from New England. The purpose of the forum was to review and validate competency-based curriculum, designed by industry to connect the apprenticeship system and NIMS standards. The "Pilot for Competency-Based Apprenticeship Initiative", a national project, will enable NIMS to develop an implementation for the industry to advance competency-based apprenticeship training for the metal and precision manufacturing industry. The MMPA members attending included Marty Arsenault, President, Howard Tool in Bangor; Steve Howe, HR Director, Pratt & Whitney and Sam Cushing, HR Manager, Rich Tool & Die. Bath Iron Works was also present. For more info go to www.nims-skills.org, and click on apprenticeship.

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2004 Maine State Skills Championships SKILLSUSA - VICA

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2004 Maine State Skills Championships
SKILLSUSA - VICA

The Maine Chapter of SkillsUSA - VICA was held on March 11 and 12 in Bangor. Over 800 students, parents, and school personnel from vocational schools across the state came to Bangor to participate in this annual competition and conference. MMPA was proud to exhibit at the event to support the competition. We also contributed $500 for each gold winner in Precision Machining (Post Secondary and Secondary level) to go to the Nationals.

SkillsUSA emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. The medalists in Precision Machining are as follows:

Post-Secondary:
Gold -Mark White, Eastern Maine Community College
Silver -Patrick O'Kane, Eastern Maine Community College

Secondary:
Gold -Matt Pelotte, Mid-Maine Technical Center
Sliver -Craig Wade. Region- #9 Technical Center
Bronze- Daniel Grant, Tri-County Technical Center


Congratulations to all the winners and a huge thanks to Marty Arsenault of Howard Tool Co. for developing and administering the written and skills tests.

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York County Hosts Business Summit

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York County Hosts Business Summit

On March 19th a UNE (University of New England) was the host to over 100 businesses and service providers at the first York County Business Summit. The summit was organized by a number of business and organizations including Biddeford/Saco Chamber of Commerce, Saco Spirit, local banks, Precision Screw, DECD and a host of other organizations to address issues and find solutions to strengthen the economy. The summit focused on issues such as The Creative Economy and Entrepreneurial Development, Rationalization, Business Climate and Tax Reform, Insurance, Mature and Dominant Industries and Workforce and Education Development. MMPA's Lisa G. Martin facilitated the Mature and Dominant Industries panel. Industry guest speakers included Tim Hussey, Hussey Seating; Patrick West, Limerick Machine; Jack Smith, Applied Thermo Sciences; Thomas Yale, Yale Cordage and Roger Carr, Westpoint Stevens.

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