Local Employers Willing to Pay to Fill National Skills Gap in Machining
The
U.S. faces a real possibility of not having enough trained and
qualified machinists for thousands of machining jobs becoming vacant
every month as the Baby Boomer generation continues to retire. Many
times, Moore Norman Technology Center CNC Machining students are pulled
out for full-time work even before graduation and with
higher-than-average wages, it can be a great way to begin a career.metal stamping parts
The Precision Machined Products Association website states that machinists who hold certificates or associate degrees from accredited schools have the best opportunities for career advancement in the machining industry. According to careeronestop.org the typical median salary for machinists in Oklahoma is $43,250.
MNTC CNC Machining Instructor Tracy Jones said work for machinists is good and they can expect a great wage and benefits for their unique knowledge and skill set. He makes sure his students are continually aware of the job prospects they have by posting current jobs on a board in his classroom to keep them focused on finishing the program in order to have the most employment options and leverage after graduation.
“The truth is that CareerTech can’t graduate machinists fast enough to meet industry demands. I’m always at risk of my students being taken out from under me once they know how to run all the machines and read blueprints. These skills are that high in-demand,” Jones said.
Oklahomans may not know of the best education options in which to take classes to become a CNC machinist. Oklahoma's CareerTech system provides the most accredited options with 15 technical schools across the state offering both the classroom setting and the full machine shop floors with traditional mills and lathes and now various advanced CNC machines.
