(CNC Software Inc., Educational Division: Gig Harbor, Washington) -- Connecticut manufacturers and community colleges have requested that graduates of Manufacturing Technology programs within the Connecticut Technical High School System be well versed in computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). A newly revised Manufacturing Technology curriculum is being implemented in 16 of Connecticut’s 18 technical high schools. The curriculum calls for students to learn Mastercam, the manufacturing software that is the most widely used in industry and education. Instruction includes an introduction to Mastercam in the 11th grade, followed by more advanced topics in the 12th grade.

“The DOE [Department of Education] was hesitant at first due to tight budgets, but when we showed them the data—that Mastercam is the most widely used CAM software in the industry—they agreed that funding the project was in the best interest of the students and business and industry,” says John Murphy, the state’s trade and industry consultant for the manufacturing trades.

“When we were looking for ways to make our Manufacturing Technology program more effective, it quickly became clear that in order to succeed in industry or higher education, our students needed to learn and be well trained with the most up to date Mastercam software,” Murphy adds.

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