Recently, key members of the OWTS staff met with representatives of the Manufacturing industry at the Northwest Chamber of Commerce.  The meeting was hosted by the Chamber and President JoAnn Ryan.  The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the local companies to the fact that our Manufacturing Technology shop is changing the way its student’s will be assessed.  The program will be adapting a nationally accredited performance test called NIMS – the National Institute for Metal-working Skills, which will replace the NOCTI test.

 Wolcott Tech Principal Dan Kushman, Assistant Principal Joyce Mowrey, and Dean of Students Jerry Gryguc attended the presentation given by Manufacturing Technology Consultant John Murphy and MT Department Head Larry Pomerleau.

 “NIMS is a metal-working performance test created by the manufacturing industry itself in the 1990’s,” explained Mr. Pomerleau.  “NIMS provides many benefits to the students.  It is done by the industry, it requires employer involvement, it’s trade specific, links education and industry, and tracks the students over all four years they are in our shop." 

"We think it will be a major upgrade for our program.” John Murphy added, “NOCTI was an event; a small slice of the trade, performed in the students’ senior year.  NIMS is an ongoing formative assessment, which involves the whole curriculum.  There will be credentialing which involves both theory and performance.” 

Utilizing a power-point presentation, Mr. Murphy showed that there are nine credentials available for students to achieve.  The current plan is a pilot involving Wolcott in Torrington, Goodwin in New Britain, Kaynor in Waterbury, and Platt in Milford.  Students can attain more, but will be required to achieve four credentials in four year to qualify for graduation.  Currently, Seniors and Juniors will need two, sophomores three, and freshman four.  Again, these are minimums.

The men further outlined that the program will be supported by “Tooling U” which is an online supplement to OWTS teaching and curricula.  It is aligned with NIMS. This year, CBIA, which was well represented at this meeting, has agreed to pay for both the initial cost of implementing the NIMS pilot, plus the Tooling U supplement. 

Mr. Pomerleau concluded the meeting by detailing exactly how NIMS works.  First, the student makes the part.  It is then sent to a MET-TEC company which is a local manufacturer that has agreed to evaluate the performance of the student.  Along with the part is sent a blueprint, performance affidavit, and a grading rubric. The student has opportunities to correct any mistakes.  The successful part becomes a part of the student portfolio.  They will get the part back with a certification and this may help them in job interviews because potential employers can see the actual performance of the student. 

The many representatives seated around the room were quite enthusiastic about students actually being certified in specific industry skills.  Many remarked that the skills have not always been there with new machinists seeking jobs at their companies, and that this was a much needed development.

Mr. Pomerleau and Mr. Murphy said that establishing MEC-TEC centers among the people in the room would be a necessary first involvement.  By meetings end, the men had recruited at least seven companies.  “This was a phenomenal commitment by our local industry,” said Mr. Pomerleau.  “Their ongoing support is key to our success.”

 Left to right: JoAnn Ryan, Larry Pomerleau, Joyce Mowrey, Dan Kushman, Jerry Gryguc