Moraine Park Technical College offering CNC Machinist boot camp

WEST BEND -- Machining is a profession that has been growing and changing -- and a new crash course boot camp nearly guarantees participants a job when finished.

The demand for skilled machinists is high, and Moraine Park Technical College is working to fill positions. This fall, the college is starting a boot camp program to train people on CNC machines. The training can be completed in a matter of months.

"When I started at my job, the average work age for a skilled worker was 57 years old. There`s a need for people in this trade and there`s not a lot of people getting in," CNC Boot Camp Instructor Josh Geschke said.

The boot camp teaches participants to use a CNC machine tool -- a computerized numeric tool that will automatically make parts after the machine is programmed.

The boot camp is made possible due to a grant totaling over $700,000 and will be available for the next three years. Several companies have partnered with Moraine Park Technical College to provide internships for students and potentially, a future career.

"The goal really is to convert them from an intern to a permanent employee at the completion of the 15 weeks," Kristy Reed with John Crane Bearings said.

Students do not need any prior experience and some may be surprised to see how the manufacturing industry has developed.

"With the advancements in technology and CNC equipment, it`s now more mental than it is physical. It`s very clean, and very nice working conditions," Mike Vander Zanden with Amerequip Corporation said.

The 15 students chosen to be a part of the boot camp will be selected at the end of the September. The first CNC Boot Camp will begin in October.

For more information on the CNC Boot Camps you can attend an information session for free. They will be held Thursday, September 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Moraine Park West Bend Campus.

To register call (920) 929-2117.