CNC Machinist [Level1]
Work-Based Learning Program:
Info for Job Seekers
Did You Know Canada Needs CNC Machinists?
HIRING NOW!
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Canada’s economy. It represents about $168 billion of Canada’s GDP, and manufacturers export more than $293 billion each year. That adds up to lot’s of jobs – actually 1.7 million quality full-time, well-paying jobs—all across the country.
BUT – there is a shortage of highly skilled and knowledgable CNC machinists across the country. And that’s where we come in. We are the WBLC – and we’ve brought together manufacturing companies to solve this challenge. We’ve launched the CNC Machinist Learning Program – a program that helps job seekers learn in-demand skills, get paid on-the-job training, which leads to great stable jobs at Canadian advanced manufacturing companies.
Is This the Opportunity You’ve Been Looking For?
- Do you like creating, making, and building things?
- Do you like working with your hands?
- Do your friends call you when they need help in fixing mechanical things?
- Are good with details and precision?
- Do you like tinkering with mechanical things?
- Do you like using your brain for critical thinking in math and physics?
- Do you enjoy working mostly independently?
- Do you want to have responsibility and be accountable for the things you produce at work?
- Would you like to have a job where you can be busy all the time?
- Would you prefer to be on your feet – moving around, rather than sitting at a desk all day?
If you can answer “Yes” to almost all these questions, then you might want to consider a career as a CNC Technician.
What Exactly Is CNC?
And What Does A CNC Machinist Do?
What Is CNC Machining? – CNC means Computer Numerical Control. This means a computer converts the design produced by Computer Aided Design software (CAD), into numbers. The numbers can be considered to be the coordinates of a graph and they control the movement of a CNC machine’s cutter. In this way, the computer controls the cutting and shaping of the material into parts. Call it 3D manufacturing.
What Does A CNC Machinist Do? – Machining is a big part of manufacturing processes. A CNC machinist is specially trained to program, operate, and maintain CNC Machines. He or she uses expert knowledge to set up machines that are capable of cutting, bending, forming, and polishing raw metal into finished parts and tools. Metal parts used to be cut and molded by hand. Today, a CNC machinist reads and interprets blueprints, programs and inputs data into a computer system, monitors production, makes careful adjustments, and inspects the accuracy of a machine’s operation and resulting parts.
Check out these videos on YouTube:
CNC Parts, Machines, and Tools
These are some of the parts, machines, & tools that are part of the CNC machining process & output.
Actuator Assembly
Aircraft Engine Mount
Aircraft Landing Gear Axle
Mold for Automotive Front Grill
Gear Cluster
Hurco 3 Axis
Mold Shoe
Punch and Die Shoes
How Does The Program Work?
The CNC Machinist Work-Based Learning Program is a great opportunity to learn in-demand skills and get a great stable job. The program works like this:
Read The CNC Machinist Program Overview And Job Description
We have three documents that will provide you with all the detail you need.
It’s a good idea to download these PDF’s and read them carefully to make sure you understand the program and understand what the job entails day to day. If you think you have the personality, skills, ambition required – and you’re still interested, then move on to the next step.
Apply to the WBLC CNC Machinist [Level 1] Work-Based Learning Program
To apply to WBLC and complete the WBLC Online Assessment, please click “Apply to WBLC” below or above.
The WBLC Online Assessment will help you to understand your current aptitudes, attitudes, and personal characteristics. For some people, their natural abilities and talents fit perfectly with the job. Hopefully that’s you!
When WBLC has reviewed your completed online assessment, Manpower will contact you if you have been selected to proceed to the WBLC Interview process.
Go Through the WBLC Interview Process
Manpower will contact you by phone to arrange for an in-person interview to confirm your eligibility for this program and to understand more about your aptitude, attitude, and personal characteristics.
This is an important interview.
They will also speak to you about your availability to travel outside your preferred location for opportunities.
If you pass the WBLC Online Assessment and this WBLC Interview, you are now a Candidate for hiring by an advanced manufacturing company who is participating in this WBLC Work-Based Learning program.
Get Hired by a Advanced Manufacturing Company
Participating companies who are interested in hiring you will invite you for an interview and a tour of the company. Manpower will coordinate your interviews.
An employment interview is a very important one, so you should prepare yourself well and make every effort to present yourself positively.
If the company extends an offer of employment and if you choose to accept – you will now become an employee of the hiring company and a Trainee in the WBLC CNC Machinist [Level 1] Work-Based Learning Program. That means you will receive a pay cheque from your company while you are learning your new job.
Acquire the Basic Theoretical Knowledge and Basic Practical Skills
(e-Learning + Classroom Learning)
Over approximately 6 months, you will acquire the basic theoretical knowledge and basic practical skills for your job through a combination of:
- E-Learning: delivered online at your employer in the earlier months
- Classroom training: one week – delivered at a CNC Teaching facility
- On the job training: throughout the entire 6 months
The basic theoretical knowledge and basic practical skills (competencies) you will acquire include all the following topics:
- Manufacturing Terminology
- Types of CNC Machines
- CNC Machine Operations
- Machine Maintenance Practices
- Blueprint Reading
- Applied Math
- Materials
- Tools
- Measurement
- Cutting Fluids
- Workplace Safety
- WHMIS
Get On-The Job Training to become a CNC Machinist [Level 1]
This part of the program is about 6 months. There are very clear industry-developed Technical Learning Outcomes (TLOs) defined for the entire training period.
During your on-the-job training, you will not be on your own to learn the job. There will be a trainer helping you – providing instruction, assistance and direction. Your trainer will review the Technical Learning Outcomes with you and be responsible for making sure you are progressing towards completing them by the end of the on-the-job training period.
Further details on this important phase are in the CNC Machinist Job Overview pdf (above)
Get Certified by WBLC
As you progress towards the completion of your WBLC program, you have the opportunity to be certified by WBLC as a CNC Machinist [Level 1]. Certification is a public statement that you have passed and are highly qualified to perform specified duties – in this case, those of a CNC Machinist [Level 1].
WBLC’s certification process consists of testing and assessing your mastery of the Technical Learning Outcomes for the job and, if acceptable, certifying you as a CNC Machinist [Level 1] based on:
- your successful passing of tests administered during the e-learning and classroom training
- demonstrating to our WBLC Assessor that you can carry out mold maintenance operations as per work orders, drawings and process instructions
- Demonstrating your knowledge of general manufacturing technical practices and procedures and knowledge of CNC specific technical work practices by completing an on-line examination.
At this point, you will have clear, objective evidence that you are a WBLC Certified Mold Maintenance Technician [Level 1] who can be a productive, valuable, promotable employee and advance your career going forward with your employer by contributing to the greater business success of the company.
The certification will be issued by the Work-Based Learning Consortium and over time will be accepted by many employers as evidence of your capability and expertise.