Palmer, MA (August 8, 2016) — Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School has provided quality technical and academic education in Massachusetts for more than 40 years. The school is planning their annual Poker Run/Motorcycle Rally with proceeds to purchase CNC Machinery for the school.
One of the main fundraisers for the Machine Technology-Advanced Manufacturing is their annual Poker Run/Motorcycle Rally. In its ninth year, the event brings together many of the former students to raise funds for the program. The machinist program has grown and now so successful that it has a waiting list.
“The Poker Run is a great way to get the students excited about their industry. It is also important that they see many shop owners, managers, machinists, programmer, supervisors, process engineers and Machine Tool Builders ‘giving back’ to the industry where they can make a good living,” said Mark Perreault, Regional Manager for Matsuura Machinery USA.
Perreault, who serves on the Machine Technology Program’s Advisory Board, participates each year in the fundraiser.
The proceeds from the run will be used to support the Machine Tool Technology Program at Pathfinder. In the last eight years, they raised sufficient funds to purchase a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), two CNC milling machines, a Trak style retrofit and a PC-Demis retrofit to their CMM machine.
These machines will provide students with the latest in high technology equipment. The school’s ability to upgrade the technology, equipment and tooling ensures that the program continues to provide students with the technical skills necessary for careers in the precision manufacturing industry.
“The money we raise is to equip this regional public school program with machines and technology to better prepare students to enter our field,” Perreault concluded.
Pathfinder invites Matsuura customers to join the event and ride on October 1st, 2016 at 10 am. Bikes are preferred, but cars are also welcome.
Donations are accepted in any denomination or the school has specific sponsorship levels.
All donations can be sent to the attention of Al, Putnam at Pathfinder: 240 Sykes St., Palmer, MA 01069-1200; telephone: (413)283-9701, extension 103 or email; [email protected] Contact: Al Putnam.
The students learn advanced manufacturing in a high-tech environment using state-of-the-art machines including full-size machining centers, turning centers, CNC and manual machines, computers and robots. Instead of offering dark shops filled with woodworking and dusty saws, Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School now offers full of state-of-the art machines and computers that teach students code, programming and design skills.
With vocational graduates expected to earn an average starting salary of $45,000, the program is a huge draw with students.
Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School was recently featured on NBC’s “Today Show” in a segment about the school and its machine technology-advanced manufacturing program called “Teens enter vocational school, come out with jobs, no debt.”
For more information on Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School‘s Machine Technology-Advanced Manufacturing Program contact:
Al Putnam
Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School
Department Head – Machine Technology
240 Sykes St.
Palmer, MA 01069
413-283-9701, ext. 103
[email protected]
For more information on Matsuura Machinery USA, contact:
Matsuura Machinery USA, Inc.
325 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-289-9700
www.matsuurausa.com