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Faces of Manufacturing

In Demands Job Week Profile: Dunaway employee builds future as a CNC machinist

When Carmine Zarlenga was planning out his life, becoming a CNC machinist was one way to reach his goals without having to relocate.

He could have his choice of where he would work in the Mahoning Valley while also being well-paid.

“I loved that there are lots of jobs locally,” Zarlenga said. “There’s always jobs for this industry. They’re readily available.”

He works at Dunaway Inc. in Canfield, using machining equipment to produce precision parts.

Carmine Zarlenga is a CNC machinist at Dunaway Inc. in Canfield. He decided to go to MCCTC as an adult to earn credentials, saying there are many jobs available locally with higher pay.

Although working with machinery, Zarlenga is able to apply critical thinking each day while still being hands-on.

“This is the perfect balance of working with your hands but also working with your mind,” he said, as he watched the machine create a part, which he then measured by hand.

To set his career in motion, Zarlenga went to the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center in Canfield for their adult machining program.

“Then I found a job and progressed from there.”

Prior to becoming a CNC machinist, Zarlenga was a diesel mechanic.

Looking at the figures

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the national hourly average of a CNC machining employee is $29 an hour, or $62,300 annually.

Locally, that figure is between $17 and $28 an hour, depending on the credentials earned by an employee.

To become a machinist, courses are offered at MCCTC, Columbiana County Career and Technical Center, Trumbull County Technical Center and Eastern Gateway Community College, where a certification program is offered.

Creating a balance

“You make decent money and make a decent career out of it,” Zarlenga said.

Cost of living in the Mahoning Valley is considerably lower than other parts of the country, making his income stretch further, he noted.

Building off that, the schedule is great, too.

For the most part, CNC machinists know their schedule, which provides a steady life-work balance, Zarlenga said.

“We have a set schedule we work” at Dunaway, he said

For high school students unsure what to do after graduation or adults looking for a new career path, Zarlenga said he would urge them to “greatly consider” manufacturing.

“There are jobs everywhere for it. It’s a good way without a college degree to make a very good living,” Zarlenga said.

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Member Manufacturers

City Machine Technologies, others team up on Kids Career Fair

Through a local partnership, children were introduced to manufacturing as they spent time learning hands-on what it means to be part of the industry.

During the Kids Career Fair held at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, manufacturer member City Machine Technologies, Inc. and Oh Wow! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technolog presented an early afternoon of encouraging children and their parents to consider workforce development as they get older.

During the Kids Career Fair, youngsters participated in hands-on activities to show what manufacturing is about. Pictured, two girls demonstrate the extruding process with Play-Doh at the MVMC booth.

“This is a great opportunity to introduce students and their families to what modern manufacturing is,” said Allison Engstrom, project manager for MVMC.

“Our goal at MVMC is to find ways to bring people into the manufacturing industry, and one of the ways we are doing that is through youth outreach, where we promote conversations with children about their future,” Engstrom said.

Over the course of four hours, 1,000 people attended, visiting not only CMT, but also the exhibits from fellow MVMC members Vallourec and Marsh Bellofram.

Each table offered information, hands-on fun and a presentation about various roles in manufacturing.

There were more than 40 organizations and career tech programs from around the Mahoning Valley who set up booths and presentations, showing different career paths available.

At MVMC’s booth, about 200 children – mostly elementary and middle school students – rolled up their sleeves and used Play-Doh to learn about extruding.

To discuss ways to build community outreach programs, contact Engstrom at allison@mahoningvalleymfg.com.