Machine Tool Technology

What Kind of Career Can You Expect?
Machinists are highly skilled operators of machine tools that fabricate parts from a wide variety of materials. Working from blueprints, sketches, or their own designs, these technicians produce precision parts with extremely close tolerances.

Machine tool graduates can find employment with small machine shop operators as well as large manufacturing firms throughout the country.

What Skills, Traits, or Prep Classes Would be Helpful?
- Sound math and spatial skills
- Solid reading skills
- Mechanical aptitude
- Manual dexterity
- Solid reading skills
- Ability to evaluate and make decisions
- Ability to attend class seven hours per day
- Enjoyment of working with others
- Ability to work to precise specifications

What Will You Learn to Do?
- Set up and operate manual machines including engine lathes, milling machines, grinders, and surface grinders
- Program, set up, and operate computer-numerically controlled (CNC) milling machines and lathes
- Operate precision measurement and test equipment used by metals-manufacturing industries
- Properly heat-treat various metals
- Understand and identify the many different materials, processes, and techniques used by the machining industry
- Utilize Virtual GIBBS programming software and SolidWorks modeling software.

What Else Should I Know?
A typical day includes seven hours of classroom and lab work.

What Kind of Degree(s) Can I Earn?
- Associate of Applied Science Degree - AAS (approximately two-years)
- Advanced Technical Certificate - ATC (approximately 16 months)
- Technical Certificate - TC (approximately one-year)
- Postsecondary Technical Certificate – PTC* (usually less than one-year)

* PTC not eligible for federal financial aid due to program length.

To Get Financial Aid:
Almost all prospective students are eligible for some kind of
financial aid, regardless of credit history, income or assets.

Program Fills Fast. Call Today! 208.562.3000
CWI delivers college credit instruction, certificates and degrees through its memorandum of understanding with College of Southern Idaho (CSI). CSI is accredited through The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCUU).