Hinds Community College Blog

CTE From A to Z: Machine Tool Technology

Posted by Cindy West on Sat, Jan, 17, 2015 @ 09:01 AM

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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?

  • Analytical skills

  • Detail oriented

  • Math and computer skills

  • Mechanical skills

  • Stamina

  • Technical skills

If you answered "yes" to any of these qualities, Machine Tool Technology might just be the career option for you.

High Speed Machining

What Do Machinists Do?

  • Work from computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) files,  blueprints, or sketches

  • Set up, operate, and tear down manual, automatic, or computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine tools

  • Install, align, secure, and adjust cutting tools and work pieces

  • Monitor the feed and speed of machines

  • Turn, mill, drill, shape, and grind machine parts to specifications

  • Measure, examine, and test completed products for defects

  • Compute and verify dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of work pieces

  • File, grind, and adjust parts so that they fit together properly

  • Test completed tools or dies to ensure that they meet specifications

  • Inspect for proper dimensions and defects

  • 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?

Request More Info

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. 

Topics: Hinds Community College, Career Tech, Hinds CC, Machine Tool Technology, CTE, Industrial

Hinds CC CTE Student wins Precision Machining competition

Posted by Cindy West on Tue, Apr, 08, 2014 @ 11:04 AM

Will Tolbert

Skills USA Competition

The Machine Tool Technology program on the Raymond Campus, along with the program instructor, Mr. Norman Trimble are excited to announce that William Tolbert placed 1st in the state of Mississippi in the Precision Machining competition which was held recently in the Jackson metro area. This qualifies him to compete in the SkillsUSA National Championship which will be held this summer in Kansas City, Missouri. This contest brings together gold-medal winners from separate competitions at secondary and post-secondary levels across the United States. It is a multimillion-dollar event that occupies a space equivalent to 16 football fields.

Will has used these skills to gain employment at Milwaukee Tool while continuing his education. An interesting side note is that Will also placed 1st in the state in Precision Machining while a high school student at Forest High School located in Forest, Mississippi. 

In addition to Will the following students enrolled in post-secondary and secondary CTE programs in the Hinds district also placed.

Post-Secondary Winners

  • William Tolbert - 1st Place Precision Machining, Hinds CC Raymond Campus

  • Kolby Redmond - 2nd Place Masonry, Hinds CC Utica Campus

Secondary Winners

  • Josh Manning - 3rd Place Job Interview, Pearl Rankin Career Center                     

  • Kody Britt - 3rd  Place Precision Machining, Hinds Community Career Center Vicksburg 

  • Frankie Greer - 2nd Place Cabinet Making, Hinds Community Career Center Vicksburg              

SkillsUSA–Mississippi is an organization serving high school and college and professional members who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. It is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives; working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. In Mississippi more than 2,300 students and instructors join annually with 300,000 students and instructors joining SkillsUSA annually at the national level. 

Topics: Hinds Community College, Hinds CC, Machine Tool Technology, Career/Technical Program, Milwaukee Tool, SkillsUSA