NEWS

A worthwhile return on investment

Cláudio Afonso is taking his first steps towards a successful career in the exciting world of CNC machine tool technology. After studying at the Haas Technical Education Centre (HTEC) Portalegre, his enthusiasm and passion for machines has won him prizes and helped secure him a job at the Porto‐based Haas Factory Outlet (HFO) – A Division of After Sales.

Cláudio Afonso knew from an early age that he wanted to work in engineering.

“When I finished school, I knew I wanted to do something with machines but I wasn’t sure whether to go to University or to find a professional training course,” he explains. “In the end I chose to join the HTEC program as, for me, I felt this would be more useful later on when it came to looking for a job.”

Throughout his HTEC education, Cláudio excelled. While studying he learned a wide range of skills from technical drawing and work planning and preparation, to mechanical technologies and automation. He was a talented student and his hard work was eventually acknowledged when he was awarded a gold medal in the Portuguese skills competition. It was this award that lead to an invitation to visit Haas Automation in Oxnard, California.

“The seven of us that visited the factory in the USA spent most of our time in the machining and assembly departments,” he says. “It was such a great trip! I was particularly impressed by the factory and its production capacity ‐ I learned so much from the people out there.”

In addition to his international excursion to America, Cláudio was also given the opportunity to visit HFO – A Division of After Sales, in August 2009.

“The visit to After Sales was a great opportunity to understand more about the HFO distribution concept.” Following this visit, Cláudio was offered a position as a service technician at HFO After Sales.

Cláudio says, “As well as receiving complete practical training on the Haas CNC lathe and machining centres, the HTEC program at Portalegre gave me a full range of skills that has made me well prepared for this job.

“I really enjoy working in this industry and my job gets me involved in a number of different areas. What I have already learned at the HTEC has given me an excellent grounding for this role. However, I want to continue to learn as much as I can so that I can develop my technician skills and continue to progress as far as I can within the Haas Factory Outlet”.

Cláudio Afonso is a fine example of why the HTEC program was created. Investment in the education of students like Cláudio will help to ensure that European industry has a committed and well‐trained CNC workforce for the future.