Consider a Career as a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programmer
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programmer is an Emerging Career Option
Advances in technology within the manufacturing sector have played a significant role in improving production efficiencies, lowering operating costs, and reducing time-to-market for many types of goods. As an example, manufacturers that once relied on the manual operation of equipment (lathes) to produce and reproduce component parts now benefit from upgrades to computer numerical control (or CNC) machinery – this technology can generate and mass produce intricate and complicated identical parts more efficiently and with better uniformity/quality control, hence saving the manufacturers time and money.
With many companies either upgrading to CNC equipment or increasing their reliance on such machinery, it has spawned several new employment opportunities. These types of jobs include CNC mill operators (customarily a millwright) as well as CNC programmer roles. In the latter role, individuals would be required to use a computer and associated software to create the numerical control programs that drive the actual mass production of the component parts. They would also be tasked with troubleshooting any computer-related issues that might be impacting/hindering the production process.
- Secondary school diploma
- Continuing in-school training
- An on-the-job apprenticeship
With respect to the post-secondary in-school training, course study in this subject matter is available through the Faculty of Continuing Education at selected community colleges:
- Basic CNC Programming
- Reading and writing code
- Geometry Creation
- Toolpath simulation
- Advanced CNC Programming
- Lathe programming
- Toolpath generation
- CNC Set-Up
- Basic set-ups on CNC lathes
- Familiarity with required tools
In many instances, individuals may be able to incorporate the time for the above studies within an active apprenticeship secured on the basis of attaining their secondary school diploma. Successful completion of a CNC programmer apprenticeship is predicated on performance over a specified period of time, minimally the equivalent of one year on the job (or 2,000 hours) plus passing a written exam to obtain a Certificate of Qualification.
Upon earning this certificate, a CNC programmer may be deemed a CNC journeyperson, a designation that recognizes the programmer as a qualified and skilled individual within the CNC trade who is entitled to the wages and benefits associated with the trade and who is permitted to act as a mentor/trainer to another registered CNC apprentice. Due to the growing demand for CNC skills in general, job opportunities for CNC programmers or CNC journeypersons can be pursued in most manufacturing centres across Canada.
Engineering Staffing Agencies Can Help Find CNC Programmer Apprenticeships
Although CNC programmer apprenticeships are vital in securing the certification needed to succeed in this trade, such opportunities might not be advertised or otherwise readily identified by interested parties. As a result, the networking and manufacturing industry contacts accessible to representatives of engineering staffing agencies, like Winters Technical Staffing, may prove to be valued assets/resources in such searches.
Placement specialists from Winters Technical Staffing will have knowledge of available apprenticeship opportunities within specific manufacturing sectors and, based on strong working relationships with those employers and hiring managers, are often engaged by these clients to find qualified candidates for such roles. In addition, these apprenticeship opportunities often require the candidates to have immediate availability, which is why these staffing agencies are ideally suited to satisfy the needs of both the employers and the aspiring CNC programmer apprentices.
Contact Winters Today
To launch your CNC programmer career by capitalizing on the network and resources of one of Toronto’s leading engineering staffing agencies, call the placement specialists at Winters Technical Staffing today at 1-877-495-7422 to arrange your no-obligation consultation with one of our consultants.