At the beginning of 2024, The Adult Precision Machining class convened at our Mount Joy Campus for the first adult course run at the CTC in over a decade. In the 2000s, the entire machining program was suspended due to low interest and enrollment in our high school and adult programs. Following an uptick in demand in the mid 2010s, Precision machining was re-instated in our Secondary Programs in 2017. As the workforce demand has grown, we are happy to open our machining lab to adult learners this year.
The new class of adult learners features a variety of students in age and background, but many cite the same goals: to pivot their careers to an industry where the outlook is bright. According to O Net, CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled tool) operators can expect a median wage of 24/hr and programmers nearly $30/hr. Adult student Michael Barto noted that precision machining is a lucrative career path in manufacturing, but it is also not physically demanding. His great-uncle was a machinist, and he is starting from scratch on this new career path. Meanwhile, fellow student Elisha Sam is pursuing a career shift after working a second shift position in metal stamping.
Leading the class is Glenn Kieffer, an experienced machinist looking to share his expertise with students who are eager to learn. Glenn has worked in Machine Shops at Harman, Alcoa, Tooling Tech, and Heritage Tool. He operated his shop for seven years and supervised a 14-person CNC shop. Although some students may have a background in machining, The five-month course curriculum is designed for students who are just starting out. Glenn explains: “We begin with basics and shop safety for those with little or no shop experience, then on to CNC technology for the manual machine operators looking to add computerized machining to their skillset, Then CAD-CAM for the students wishing to learn basic part design and program.”
Our mission at the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center is to prepare people for skilled, innovative and productive careers. The re-integration of Precision Machining into our Higher Ed Academics fits seamlessly into that goal, and we look forward to seeing our students succeed following completion of the program in May. Our next Adult Precision Machining class starts in September of 2024! If you are interested in pivoting to a new career, visit our website to learn more or apply today! If you have any questions, please contact admissions@lancasterctc.edu.
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