Careers in many skilled industries, like that of a CNC machinist, are fascinating and challenging. This job option enables you to use your hands to create distinctive and intricate metal products. You can decide whether this is a career path you’re interested in pursuing by further evaluating what a CNC machinist’s employment includes.
This page covers how to become CNC Machinists in 6 steps.
1. Complete your high school diploma or GED
Getting your high school graduation is the initial requirement for becoming a CNC machinist. You can start your career as soon as you graduate because there are no additional qualification requirements for this position. If you don’t have a high school diploma, you can start by passing all five of the General Educational Development (GED) exams. Either of these requirements must be met to be eligible for an apprenticeship.
2. Find an employer willing to apprentice you
Receiving your high school diploma is the initial requirement for becoming a CNC machinist. You can start your career straight away after graduation because this position does not require any higher certifications. You can start if you don’t have a high school diploma by passing all five of the General Educational Development (GED) tests.
3. Attend classroom training
Every year of your program, you must spend eight weeks in a classroom for academic instruction as part of your apprenticeship.
4. Get your journeyperson status
One final exam must be taken when all training and apprenticeship hours have been completed. You can work as a CNC machinist journeyperson in your province after passing this exam. Now that you have obtained your trade certification, you frequently earn more money than other apprentices. You can also certify the apprenticeship hours of others.
5. Get certification
Whether or not you have a degree, completing an apprenticeship successfully qualifies you for certification as a credentialed worker. You can tell if you’re certified if you have the necessary skill set to run CNC equipment.
6. Continue with ongoing learning
A CNC machinist must continue with continual training and growth because they employ computer-controlled machinery. Even after earning your journeyperson qualification, programming methodologies and techniques continue to evolve. You can make sure you continue to be a valuable employee by keeping up with best practices and current technology.