Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) students are looking to put their skills to the test on a national stage, participating for the first time ever in Project MFG’s Advanced Manufacturing competition, a contest designed to showcase the next generation of talent in manufacturing.
Project MFG is a national collaborative effort between communities, educators and industry leaders with the goal to raise the next generation of skilled trade professions by accelerating the manufacturing trade workforce.
The five-member team, led by AMT faculty member Alberto Farias, will represent STC in the competition set to begin in October 2025, which includes college manufacturing programs from across the country.
Students will face challenges in machining, blueprint reading and advanced manufacturing processes with the overall winners receiving a top prize of $100,000.
“This is the first time we go through this program,” Farias said. “Our students will be competing against others in the country who want to test their skillsets and see where they stand. Our students will have the opportunity to measure themselves and show what they can do.”
The competition is organized in three stages. The first is the local round, where students will receive a project kit complete with tooling, materials and instructions. Students are then tasked with manufacturing a part using 3-axis Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining and other advanced processes before submitting it for review. If selected, the students will then advance to the second round, where they will be given a 5-axis machining challenge during a two-day competition.
Students who reach the national level will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in a filmed reality-style series. There they will compete against 16 other colleges for cash prizes and industry recognition. All travel, equipment and accommodations will be provided by Project MFG.
Farias said he first learned about the competition through networking with instructors across the country. When he introduced the idea to students in his summer courses, most quickly volunteered, he said.
“They were excited. They wanted to do this. Now I’m here to help them get there,” Farias said.
AMT student Cristobal Morales who hopes to graduate in May 2026 with an associate degree in Precision Manufacturing said the opportunity is both exciting and a bit daunting.
“I think it’s something that is very exciting and new to me. I look forward to the challenge,” Morales said. “To get recognition for the college, my peers and our community would be amazing. I look forward to getting started.”
Teammate Richard Getso said he looks forward to applying his strengths, specifically in CNC knowledge, to the competition.
“I’m able to set the machines up and calibrate them quicker and more accurately than most,” Getso said. “For me, it’s about putting my skills to the test.”
Farias said the biggest takeaway from the upcoming competition will be the experience itself.
“This program allows students to show how they have mastered their skills and how to learn from others,” he said. “The students will get to interact with schools from across the country, and maybe even come out on top. Either way, they will be ambassadors for our program and everything we do here.”
The STC team is set to compete this fall. For more information on STC’ Advanced Manufacturing Technology program visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/manufacturing/.
Information source: STC
