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BONEZONE presents the following short list of schools and programs in the U.S. that provide CNC operator education, in response to readers’ challenges in finding qualified machinists.
Right Skills Now
www.rightskillsnow.org
The Right Skills Now for Manufacturing builds on the success of the National Association of Manufacturers-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System, which includes nationally portable, industry-recognized certifications that are combined with for-credit education programs. ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate is the foundational credential of this stackable program while, the National Institute for Metalworking Skills credentials certify critical in-demand machining and metalworking skills.
California
San Jose City College
San Jose, California
www.sjcc.edu/Acad/Divisions/applied/machine.html
Courses include multi-level Precision Measurement, CAD/CAM, CNC Machining and Turning Operator/Programmer, Lathe Practices, Milling Machine Practices, etc. For more information, call 408-288-3781.
Illinois
BIR Training Center
Three campuses in Chicago
www.birtraining.com/Programs/Computerized_Manufacturing/Default.aspx
Three certificate programs: Comprehensive CNC includes CNC and CMM training, CAD/CAM advanced skills, and Industry Certification Preparation; Machine Tool Technology includes CNC machines training with advanced CAD/CAM skills; Machine Tool Operations has a machine specific focus. When local manufacturers are looking to fill CNC positions, they turn to BIR.
Indiana
South Adams High School
Berne, Indiana
www.southadams.k12.in.us/webpages/machinetrades/index.cfm
Machine Trades reinforces skills and safety. Class projects begin with a simple “drill gage” which reinforces the basics in safety, measurement, basic shop math, print reading, bench work and attention to detail. Projects build step by step to increase skills necessary for each student to complete a multi-part assembly. Students also participate in student and professional organizations such as Skills USA and The Machinists’ Group of Northeast Indiana. For more information, call Jerod Dailey, 260-589-3131.
Ivy Tech Community College
Campuses throughout Indiana
www.ivytech.edu
Courses include Introduction to Machining: instructs in shop safety, industrial terminology, tools and machine tooling, measurement and layout; Introduction to Manufacturing and Assembly: instructs in industrial terminology, material properties, material processes, workflow processes, supply chain management, design and engineering and quality management systems. Contact Career Services via www.ivytech.edu/career-services/contactus.html.
Michigan
Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, Michigan
www.hfcc.edu/programs/ManufacturingProductivitySystemsCNC.asp
Manufacturing programs include Basic and Advanced CNC, Manufacturing Productivity Systems. For more information, contact Ken Wright, Lead Instructor at 313-845-6331 or kwright@hfcc.edu.
Machinist Training Institute
Detroit, Michigan
www.focushope.edu/page.aspx?content_id=148&content_type=level2
MTI offers a 12-week course for machine operators and CNC operators. Students address manual use of lathes and mills, blueprint reading, shop theory, communications, CNC machining, etc. For job placement assistance, call 313-494-4567, 313-494-4422 or 313-494-4435.
Minnesota
Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, Minnesota
www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturing
Robotic and Manufacturing programs include Automated Systems and Robotics; Engineering Drafting and Design Technology; Industrial Controls & Robotics; Industrial Engineering Technology Machine Tool Technology, etc. Phone: 612-374-5800.
South Central College
Campuses in Faribault and North Mankato
www.ecatalog.southcentral.edu/Computer%20Integrated%20Machining.php
Core competencies include CAD/CAM and CNC skills, safe machining practices and the production and measurement of quality machined parts.
Tennessee
Tennessee Technology Center @ Shelbyville
Shelbyville, Tennessee
www.ttcshelbyville.edu
www.ttcshelbyville.edu/full-time-programs/machine-tool-technology
The Machine Tool Technology course offers practical experience on lathes, grinders, vertical and horizontal mills, hand tools and bench work. A variety of work projects gives the student actual experience in the fabrication of usable tools and parts from metal and machinable plastics. Call 931-685-5013.
Texas
Houston Community College
Houston, Texas
www.hccs.edu/hccs/business-community/career-technical-education-programs/machining-technology/about-machining-technology
The shop has more than 60 pieces of manual equipment (lathes and milling machines), seven pieces of computerized numerical control (CNC), turning and milling machines, six robotic arms, a computer integrated manufacturing cell, hydraulic and pneumatic trainers, and 60 personal computers with up-to-date training materials. For more information, call 713-718-6805 or e-mail roberto.sanchez2@hccs.edu
learning.hccs.edu/faculty/roberto.sanchez2.
Utah
Ogden-Weber Tech College
Ogden, Utah
www.owatc.edu/academics/programs/manufacturing-technology/
Machining students are prepared to create parts on lathes, mills, drill presses, surface grinders and CNC machines. Electronic and Biomedical Equipment Technicians learn electronic control systems and test instrumentation. Post opportunities via www.owatc.edu/jobs/jobs/manufacturing/.
Washington
Green River Community College
Machining & Manufacturing Tech. Program
Auburn, Washington
www.instruction.greenriver.edu/manufacturing/
Instruction covers conventional turning, milling and grinding, basic programming, set up and operation of CNC machine tools. Other subjects include shop safety, blueprint reading, shop mathematics, CAD/CAM, machine tool theory, inspection and surface plate techniques, lean manufacturing and other skills currently required by industry. Send questions to Tom Tagliente at ttagliente@greenriver.edu.
Wisconsin
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Oak Creek, Wisconsin
www.matc.edu
www.matc.edu/student/offerings/cncop.cfm
Graduates are expected to know how to operate CNC machining and turning centers, apply CAD/CAM programming procedures, and demonstrate a basic knowledge of computer hardware and software applications related to CNC programming. Contact Job Services via www.matc.edu/workforce_development/index.cfm.
