Welcome to the Precision Machining program at Pike Central High School. In 2010, Pike County School Corporation completed an addition to the high school for Precision Machining and Project Lead the Way.


Since that time, the program has grown and has had many students from the Patoka Valley Schools complete the two-year program and continue their education in the Precision Machining program at Vincennes University. Upon graduation from VU they have successfully gained employment for numerous manufacturing entities in this area.


Perhaps you have heard about the “skills gap” that exists between the skills that manufacturers require in today’s high-tech manufacturing and the knowledge and skills that high school graduates possess. Our P.M. program was implemented in the Fall of 2010 to meet the needs of local and regional industries and to give our graduates additional employment opportunities. This program prepares students for successful entry into the work force or into the Vincennes University programs of Precision Machining (which includes Tool and Die and Plastic Injection Mold Tooling), Advanced Manufacturing, and Industrial Maintenance.


The courses at PCHS are actual VU courses, so students earn both high school and college credits of up to 15 hours at NO EXPENSE. Normally this would cost over $170 per credit hour, which would save students over $2500 if enrolled in the two-year program on campus. Essentially, their core classes for the first semester are completed before they even arrive on campus.

Classes at PCHS meet in a three-hour block in a state-of-the-art facility utilizing both manual and CNC machining equipment. Numerous internship opportunities are also available.

Skilled technicians who are seeking employment in manufacturing have nearly a 100% placement rate. Employment opportunities exist locally, regionally, statewide and even across the United States. Some examples of this include automotive, aerospace, plastics, orthopedic/ health care/ life sciences, stamping, energy, and motorsports.

Those who graduate start out earning $35,000 to $40,000 annually and can quickly increase that to $50,000 to $75,000+ as they gain experience. The program offered at Pike Central gives students a head start into dynamic jobs.

Anyone interested in the Precision Machining program at PCHS and would like more information may Email me at markscott@pcsc.k12.in.us

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Busy 2016-17 First Semester

            The Precision Machining classes at Pike Central High School have been very busy.
            On September 16, the classes accompanied a group of students in the Haas Technical Education Center at Vincennes University to the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) at the McCormick Place in Chicago. This is the largest manufacturing show in North America and is only held every other year. While there wasn’t enough time to visit nearly all the several thousand vendors, the students saw a good number who demonstrated their products that are used in manufacturing and came away with a greater appreciation of the latest high tech machine tools and products.
            A new competition that the Precision Machining program intends to compete in this year requires teams of students to design and build a single-seat electric car and then compete in Greenpower USA’s race. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in conjunction with IndyCar and the GreenpowerUSA Foundation, is inviting teams of 33 high school students to design, build and race a single-seat, student-driven electric car on the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 2017 race festivities. The high school teams, selected from participating programs across the United States, will be paired with Verizon IndyCar Series drivers for the famed 500 Mile Race in a competition that promotes STEM.
            The Pike Central program has attained partnerships/sponsorships with area businesses, including, at this time, Jasper Engines, Kimball Electronics, and IPL, to enable them to purchase the chassis kit from Greenpower UK. Students will have the opportunity to work with engineers and technicians from the sponsoring companies to assemble and modify the car, and prepare for the race.
            The annual Precision Machining Open House for interested students and parents was held November 30. This gave prospective students and their parents an inside look at the program and facilities.  
            Another activity was a tour of Jasper Engines on November 3. Pike Central Precision Machining students have interned at the company over the past three years and Jasper Engines has assisted students with their college expenses by purchasing required tools for the VU program.
            Also, on November 16, the classes toured the VU School of Technology programs, including Precision Machining, Welding, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, and Advanced Manufacturing. This gives the students the opportunity to see and hear about career choices post high school.
            Those who graduate from the VU programs start out earning $35,000 to $40,000 annually and can quickly increase that to $50,000 to $75,000+ as they gain experience.
            Precision Machining, which is in its seventh year at PCHS, prepares students for successful entry into the workforce or into the Vincennes University programs of Precision Machining and Advanced CNC Machining. The courses at PC are actual VU classes, so students can earn both high school credits and college credits of up to 12 hours at no expense. Essentially, classes of the first semester within the major are completed before students even arrive on campus.

            Any student interested in the Precision Machining program at PCHS should contact Mr. Scott in Room K-140, Email him at markscott@pcsc.k12.in.us, or talk to a guidance counselor. 
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