ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. – Central Alabama Community College has earned national recognition once again, placing second in the Project MFG Clash of Trades competition.
Machining students Jorge Soto-Rojos and Ashton Williams represented the college against top teams from across the country, winning $25,000 for themselves and another $25,000 for the college’s workforce programs.
The competition tested precision, problem solving, and teamwork under real-world conditions.
“This is a proud moment for our students, our program, and our college,” said Pat Murphy, machining instructor at Central Alabama Community College. “To earn this recognition on a national stage shows the caliber of talent we have here in central Alabama.”
Soto-Rojos said the competition “pushed us to be better,” while Williams called the experience invaluable to preparing for his career.
Hosted by Project MFG, the Clash of Trades spotlights skilled trades as essential to building America’s workforce, bringing together top technical students from across the nation to bridge the gap between classroom training and industry needs.
“This award is more than a trophy or a title. It is an investment in our students and in the future of Alabama’s workforce,” said Michael Barnette, the college’s Dean of Workforce and Economic Development. “The funding will help us provide even more opportunities for students to gain skills that lead to great careers right here at home.”
Central Alabama Community College’s machining program is part of a broader effort to meet regional workforce demands, offering training that leads directly to high-demand, high-wage careers.
For more information, visit www.cacc.edu.
