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In June, more than 5,000 students from around the country competed in the 2009 SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. For the fourth year, machine tool builder Haas Automation sponsored the Precision Machining Technology (PMT) competition at the event. With more than 70 students participating in the PMT division event, five of the six medal winners received their training at Haas Technical Education Centers (HTECs).

Haas also supported this year's competition by providing a TM-1 CNC toolroom mill, an SL-10 CNC turning center and 30 control simulators. PMT contestants used these products to demonstrate expertise in CNC programming, machining practices, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, engineering drawing interpretation and technical math.

SkillsUSA is a national organization dedicated to improving technical, skilled and service-related education for high school and college students. The annual championships provide opportunities for the best students in the nation in their career fields to test themselves against one another.

Haas Technical Education Centers are part of a global network of partnerships between learning institutions, Haas Automation and local Haas factory outlets. The goal is to leverage the company's technical capabilities and to partner with industry, schools and professional societies to exchange best practices and provide high-quality CNC education.