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

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Students take first, second, and fifth places at SkillsUSA Region 4



Caleb Miller, a senior in Pike Central High School’s Precision Machining class, finished first at the SkillsUSA Region 4 Precision Machining Competition at Vincennes University on February 11, 2017.  Miller won a $2500 scholarship to VU.  

Nathan Wehr placed second and Zach Pancake placed fifth in the contest, receiving a $1000 scholarship to VU and a $500 scholarship, respectively.

The contest was held in the Haas Technical Education Center (HTEC) CNC machining lab at Vincennes University which hosted the regional SkillsUSA machining competition for high school students enrolled in machining programs in Southern Indiana.

The SkillsUSA Championships is the platform for the best career and technical students in the nation. Contests begin locally then continue through the state and national levels. More than 350 high school students and guests from southeastern and southwestern Indiana competed. The three students will advance to the State level contest held on April 22, 2017, at Indianapolis.