Competing on a National Stage Through Project MFG

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CACC students stepped onto a national stage through the Project MFG Clash of Trades, earning second place in a competition that brought together top machining programs from across the country.

Precision machining students Jorge Soto-Rojos and Ashton Williams represented CACC in the contest, which mirrors real manufacturing environments. Teams worked under tight timelines, responded to technical challenges, and produced precision parts that met strict industry standards.

Their finish resulted in $25,000 in prize money for the students and an additional $25,000 awarded to CACC’s workforce programs, supporting hands-on technical training across the College.

Instructor Pat Murphy, who advised the team throughout the process, said preparation and trust played a key role in their performance.

“They stayed focused and relied on what they’ve learned in the shop,” Murphy said. “When challenges came up, they worked through them together and kept moving forward.”

Project MFG places students in situations that reflect the pace and expectations of modern manufacturing. For Soto-Rojos and Williams, the experience reinforced the value of precision, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure.

Dean of Workforce and Economic Development Michael Barnette said the result reflects the direction of CACC’s workforce efforts.

“This comes from strong instruction paired with opportunities that push students to apply their skills,” Barnette said. “They represented CACC well and demonstrated what our workforce programs are designed to do.”

The national recognition added momentum to CACC’s workforce initiatives and reinforced the role technical education plays in preparing students for in-demand careers.

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