Program remains up to SME’s standards
Capital High’s machining and welding program now has a distinction only 31 schools in the country can claim.
SME named Capital on Wednesday as one of six new Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education schools.
Being recognized as a PRIME school means that students in the machining and welding program will benefit from more funding and professional-grade equipment starting in fall 2015.
“The big recipients of this are kids in Helena. They’re the ones who are getting the big benefit,” Jim Weber, the machining and welding teacher, said.
Starting next fall the program will receive $10,000 each year for three years from SME. Weber will also be able to network with other PRIME schools and receive support from SME partners.
As long as the program remains up to SME’s standards, Capital will maintain its PRIME title. Students who part of a PRIME program are also eligible to apply for a scholarship from the SME Education Foundation.
To qualify, the program was first nominated by Mastercam, which is the software Weber uses in his classes. The program then had to pass several rounds of vetting, including a final evaluation in which an SME representative flew out to screen the program. On Wednesday, out of nearly 25 schools nominated this year, Capital was announced as one of the winners.