Five students recently finished both the Manual and CNC machining programs at Garrett College. Pictured, left to right, are students Aaron Burch, Jacodi Pruett, Malec Pruett, Javan Pruett, and Andrew Clark.
Five students recently finished both the Manual and CNC machining programs at Garrett College. The 15-month program consists of 435 hours of theory, lab time, and online modules.
The students – Aaron Burch, Jacodi Pruett, Malec Pruett, Javan Pruett, and Andrew Clark – earned a total of 50 credentials from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS). For each credential earned through NIMS, the student was responsible for passing both a theory exam and a performance measure.
“The performance measure is a summative assessment,” said Josh Lear, GC’s coordinator of career and technical education. “That assessment validates performance by systematically evaluating if an individual can independently satisfy the responsibility of an industry-recognized job role.”
Those credentials include Measurement, Materials and Safety, Job Planning, Benchwork and Layout, Drill Press I, Milling I, Turning I, CNC Mill programming, setup and operation, CNC Lathe programming, setup and operation, CNC Mill Operations, CNC Lathe Operations, and a Certificate of Special Merit.
“Machinists are versatile tradespeople with the skills and knowledge to create tools, parts, and objects by operating milling and drilling machines, grinders, and lathes in a machine shop,” said Lear. “They combine the elements of mechanical design, technical drawings, mathematics, and computer programming to produce crucial products for our world today.”
Lear described machining as “an extremely precise job, requiring machinists to hold themselves and their work to the tightest of tolerances.”
Lear said experienced and knowledgeable machinists are highly sought-after tradespersons, with job opportunities both locally and regionally. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of machinists is expected to grow three percent in the next 10 years.
Orientation dates are currently being set up for the CNC Machining program starting in March. Registrations are currently being accepted, with limited space available.
Classes are slated to run Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5 to 8:45 p.m. at the Garrett College Career Technology Training Center in Accident.
Interested individuals should contact Program Coordinator Josh Lear (301.387.3087 or josh.lear@garrettcollege.edu.
