What do you want to be when you grow up? From a young age it was just understood that I was going to college. I would have to figure out what I wanted to be but, I was going. College wasn’t an option; it was just an afterthought...an extension of high school you might say. It would be where I would learn to make a living because everyone works these days. With that being said, you need some common knowledge to know which career path to go down.
Do You Possess These Important Qualities?
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Analytical skills
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Detail oriented
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Math and computer skills
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Mechanical skills
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Stamina
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Technical skills
If you answered "yes" to any of these qualities, Machine Tool Technology might just be the career option for you.
What Do Machinists Do?
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Work from computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) files, blueprints, or sketches
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Set up, operate, and tear down manual, automatic, or computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine tools
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Install, align, secure, and adjust cutting tools and work pieces
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Monitor the feed and speed of machines
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Turn, mill, drill, shape, and grind machine parts to specifications
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Measure, examine, and test completed products for defects
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Compute and verify dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of work pieces
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File, grind, and adjust parts so that they fit together properly
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Test completed tools or dies to ensure that they meet specifications
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Inspect for proper dimensions and defects
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Smooth and polish surfaces of tools and dies
Are The Jobs Out There?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for machinists and tool and die makers should be excellent as employers continue to value the skills of these workers. Employers in certain parts of the country including Mississippi report difficulty attracting skilled workers and apprenticeship candidates with the abilities necessary to fill job openings. Manufacturers continue to rely heavily on skilled machinists as they invest in new equipment, modify production techniques, and implement product design changes more rapidly. Machinists are still necessary to set up, monitor and maintain automated CNC machine tools. Typical jobs filled by students who have completed this program include apprentice machinists, production machinists and maintenance machinists.
Need More Information?
This program is located on the Raymond campus of Hinds Community College. For more information, contact Norman Trimble via email at Norman.Trimble@hindscc.edu or give him a call at 601.857.3423.
