Machine Tool Operator - Technical Diploma

// Programs & Courses // Programs // Machine Tool Operator

Share this program with a friend

Machine Tool Operator Overview

CVTC’s Machine Tool Operator is an embedded one-year technical diploma that can lead directly into the Machine Tooling Technics two-year associate degree program. The Machine Tool Operator program provides training for entry-level employment in a machining environment. Students will be exposed to manual lathes & mills, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) workstations, and Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM). Students will gain the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to operate a variety of machine tools, along with other support equipment, to be able to produce parts to meet print specifications.

This program offers hands-on training from highly skilled and experienced instructors for employment in CNC programming, CNC machining, CNC operation, mold making, and quality-control inspection. If you wish to join the workforce quicker and you have strong mechanical skills and enjoy building or crafting things, this could be the program for you!

The Machine Tool Operator program is an affordable option that allows you to earn your diploma in less time, so you can join the workforce quicker and begin earning a competitive salary. Plus, graduates from this program often have several job offers when they graduate!

Throughout this one-year program you’ll learn about:

G & M code programming
Cutter compensation techniques
Casting molding, welding & gluing
Classification of materials
Machine tooling technics terminology
Engineering language used on blueprints
Interpretation of blueprints

$1,000 Scholarships Available!

$1,000 scholarships are available for new first semester, full time students enrolled in CVTC’s Advanced Machine Tool Technology program! All you need to do is successfully complete your first semester with 90% attendance and a 3.0 GPA. This scholarship is funded by Gene Haas Foundation for CVTC Advanced Machine Tool Technology Students.

To learn more, call 715-833-6300.

Career Opportunities

CNC Machinist

Grinder

Machine Operator

Mold Repair

Tooling Engineer

Graduate Employers

Cloeren Incorporated

Riverside Machine & Engineering

Wissota Tool & Machine

Just the Facts

Machine Tool Operator
31 Credit Technical Diploma

Length of Program //
One Year

Delivery Method //

Program Location //
Eau Claire

Start Months //
August, October, January, March, and June

Next Start Date //
June 12, 2023

Financial Aid Eligible

Non-Traditional Occupation

Estimated Program Cost

Term 1	$	2,785
Term 2	$	3,120
Tools/Materials	$	1,657

Estimated Total: $7,562

View Admission Details

Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning. Explore your options today!

Machine Tool Operator Classes Start In

0 Days • 0 Hours • 0 Minutes • 0 Seconds

Apply Now Schedule a Visit

Program Courses

These are a few of the courses you can take in the Machine Tool Operator program.

Materials for Machinists
During this course individuals will learn the terminology relating to the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of materials used for Machine Tool Technics. Materials covered will be the classification of steel, cast iron, aluminum, copper, and polymers. Lab activities include hardening, annealing, case hardening, destructive test, non-destructive test, casting molding, welding, and gluing of materials.

MT Blueprint Reading and GD&T
Introduction of engineering language used on blueprints; interpretation of blueprints; blueprints and understanding manufacturing processes and communication between product design and machinist - manufacturer.

CNC Mill Programming Theory
In this course students will acquire knowledge and skills in CNC Mill programming concepts. Students will develop and apply manual G & M code programming skills in linear and circular interpolation, canned cycles, cutter compensation techniques, and applications using sub-program and sub-routines. Math concepts will be applied to find Cartesian coordinates for part geometry.

View Full Program Course List

Earn Credentials Along the Way

Career Pathways

Career Pathways are a clear, manageable way to access education that provides employer-recognized, stackable credentials tied to specific jobs, education, and career progression. Career Pathways are beneficial to high school students and teachers, parents, adult students, and employers.

One-Year Technical Diploma

Machine Tool Operator

Two-Year Technical Diploma

Machine Tooling Technics

Apply Today Schedule a Program Tour Request Info Transfer in Credits

Machine Tool Operator Outcomes

CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking where they are working, whether it is in their degree field, and several other questions related to employment. Below are the program outcomes and job data.

// Program Outcomes

100%
Employed

100% of our recent Machine Tool Operator graduates got a job in the industry.

$43K
Yearly Salary

Our recent Machine Tool Operator graduates reported an average starting salary of $43,129.

232
Regional Jobs

There are 232 job openings in the CVTC district for the Machine Tool Operator industry.

Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions

Transfer your CVTC credits to another institution to continue your education. Explore transfer agreements.

Focus On Student Success

My shop teacher back in high school told me about the program and I tried it out, but because of certain circumstances, it didn’t work out. I joined the army, stayed 20 years, and came back here.

–Travis, Machine Tooling Technics Student

Related Programs & Certificates

Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.