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, May 24, 2018

Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship Recipients


       2018 Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship recipients for students continuing their education in a post-secondary machining program include Matthew Dick, Chris Seaton, Lukas Hill, and Nathan Wehr. All four students will be attending Vincennes University.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

2018 STEM Challenge Winners

                    Precision Machining students placed first in two of the nine industry challenges at the annual STEM Challenge held at Oakland City University on April 20, 2018.
                    Pictured are Lucas Hill, Nathan Wehr, Zach Pancake and Chris Seaton with the two first place checks for $200 each.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

2018 Skills USA Statewide Competition

         Nathan Wehr earned a bronze medal at the 2018 Skills USA Precision Machining competition on April 14, 2018, held at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis.
         Besides the medal, Wehr also won machinist tools. The senior plans to continue his education in the Precision Machining program at Vincennes University.

2018 INTMA Precision Machining Competition



           Precision Machining students competed in the 15th annual Indiana Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (INTMA) Statewide High School Machining Competition on February 17, 2018, held at the Central 9 Career Center in Greenwood, Indiana.
           Competing were Alonzo Barnes, Nathan Wehr (second place in Precision Machining) and Matthew Dick (third place in CNC Milling). Scholarships and machinist tools (seen in picture) were awarded as prizes.
       

Skills USA 2018 Regional Competition Winners


          The Precision Machining students placed first, second, fourth, and fifth in the Precision Machining area and second place in CNC Mill at Vincennes University on February 4, 2018.
          Pictured are, front row, Alonzo Barnes, Matthew Dick, Jade Yochim, and Carson Hoffman. Back row: Mason Sermersheim, Chris Seaton, and Nathan Wehr.