Educational Resources for Machinists
Schools, online courses, apprenticeships, certifications, and government programs for machinists — whether you're just starting out or looking to add credentials. We've gathered what we could find, but we're sure we're missing programs. If you know of one that should be here, let us know.
Online Education
Self-paced and instructor-led online courses covering CNC programming, CAD/CAM, G-code, and manufacturing fundamentals.
Online
Free CNC training with video lessons, quizzes, and downloadable programs. Covers mill, lathe, and multi-axis machining from beginner to advanced.
Online
Over 500 online manufacturing courses from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Used by employers, schools, and apprenticeship programs nationwide.
Online
Free online certification program from Haas Automation covering CNC mill and lathe operation. Widely recognized by employers as entry-level validation.
Online
Self-paced CNC machinist career diploma covering blueprint reading, precision measurement, CNC programming, and manufacturing processes.
Online
Interactive G-code and M-code training with simulator exercises. Great for beginners learning CNC programming fundamentals.
Online
Free resources including feeds & speeds calculator, G-code reference, CNC tips, and a large library of machining tutorials and guides.
Online
Video-based training for Mastercam, SOLIDWORKS, and CNC programming. Used by schools and individuals for CAD/CAM skill development.
Online
Official self-paced courses from Mastercam covering 2D through 5-axis programming. Industry-standard CAM training with certification.
Online
Marketplace of CNC and machining courses from various instructors. Affordable on-demand courses covering G-code, Fusion 360 CAM, and more.
Online
University-level manufacturing and machining courses from institutions like MIT, U of Michigan, and more. Some courses free to audit.
Online
Free and paid courses from top universities covering manufacturing processes, quality control, and industrial engineering fundamentals.
Online + Oak Ridge, TN
Free DOD-funded CNC training program run by IACMI and Oak Ridge National Lab. Online fundamentals course plus optional in-person advanced training.
Online
Online courses from the Precision Metalforming Association covering stamping, fabrication, die design, and metalforming technology.
Online
Aggregator of free and low-cost manufacturing MOOCs from universities worldwide. Find courses in machining, materials science, and CAD/CAM.
Trade Schools & Technical Programs
Hands-on machining programs at community colleges and technical schools across the US. Most offer certificates and associate degrees.
Northeast
Troy, NY
AAS in Manufacturing Technology with CNC machining, CAD, and quality control. NIMS-aligned curriculum with industry partnerships.
Mahwah, NJ
CNC Machining and Manufacturing Technology diploma program. Hands-on training with modern Haas equipment and CAD/CAM software.
Pulaski, PA
Precision Machining Technology program covering manual and CNC machining, blueprint reading, and GD&T. Strong job placement rate.
Meadville, PA
Machinist/CNC Technician program with manual and CNC training. Small class sizes and industry-relevant equipment.
Pittsburgh, PA
NTMA-affiliated training center offering precision machining programs with apprenticeship pathways and NIMS certification prep.
Pittsburgh, PA
Advanced manufacturing training including CNC machining, welding, and robotics. Partners with regional employers for job placement.
Connecticut (multiple campuses)
Manufacturing and machining programs across Connecticut's community college system. Certificate and associate degree options with NIMS alignment.
East Hartford, CT
Manufacturing Engineering Technology programs including AS degree and certificates. Hands-on labs with CNC, 3D printing, and metrology.
Worcester, MA
Manufacturing Technology program with CNC machining focus. Located in a major New England manufacturing hub with strong industry connections.
Gardner, MA
Advanced Manufacturing Technology program with CNC machining, quality assurance, and CAD/CAM. Partners with local precision manufacturers.
Southeast
Wilmington, NC
Machining Technology diploma and AAS programs covering manual and CNC machining, CAD, and precision measurement.
Charlotte, NC
Machining Technology program in a major manufacturing region. NIMS-aligned training with modern CNC equipment and strong employer demand.
Greenville, SC
Machine Tool Technology program with certificates and associate degrees. Located in the booming SC manufacturing corridor (BMW, Michelin).
Warner Robins, GA
Precision Machining and Manufacturing diploma programs. Near Robins Air Force Base, creating strong aerospace machining demand.
Nashville, TN
Tennessee College of Applied Technology offering Machine Tool Technology programs. Affordable tuition with Tennessee Promise/Reconnect funding.
Chattanooga, TN
Engineering Technology and CNC machining programs. Strong ties to Volkswagen, Gestamp, and other regional manufacturers.
Memphis, TN
CNC Machine Tool Technology program with hands-on training in turning, milling, and precision grinding. Day and evening schedules.
Alexander City, AL
Machine Tool Technology certificate and associate degree programs. NIMS-certified training with modern CNC equipment.
Sumiton, AL
Machine Shop Technology program with certificates in CNC operations and manual machining. Very affordable tuition in Alabama.
Sarasota, FL
CNC Production Technician program with NIMS certification prep. Covers precision machining, CNC programming, and CAD/CAM.
Midwest
Indiana (17 locations)
Indiana's largest community college system with Machine Tool Technology programs at 17 campuses. Certificate through AAS with NIMS alignment.
Vincennes, IN
Precision Machining and Manufacturing program with associate degrees. One of Indiana's oldest machining programs with industry advisory board.
Cincinnati, OH
Machine Technologies program with cooperative education. Cincinnati is a historic hub for precision machining and toolmaking.
Grayslake, IL
CNC/Machining Technology programs with certificates and AAS degrees. Strong apprenticeship partnerships with Chicago-area manufacturers.
Des Plaines, IL
Manufacturing Technology program including CNC machining fundamentals. Located in Chicago's north suburban manufacturing corridor.
Lincoln, NE
Manufacturing and Machining Technology programs with modern CNC equipment. Serves Nebraska's growing manufacturing sector.
Kansas City, MO
Precision Machining Technology program with CNC training. Serves the Kansas City metro's manufacturing and defense industry base.
Indianapolis, IN
CNC Machining and Manufacturing diploma program. Indianapolis campus with modern Haas and Mazak training equipment.
Southwest
Grand Prairie, TX
CNC Machining and Manufacturing Technology program in the Dallas-Fort Worth manufacturing hub.
Alvin, TX
Machining Technology program near Houston's petrochemical and aerospace industries. Certificate and AAS options with CNC focus.
San Antonio, TX
Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology with certificates and AAS. Alamo Colleges District with strong military-to-civilian pipeline.
Austin, TX
Precision Machining and CNC programs in Texas's tech capital. Growing demand from semiconductor and defense manufacturers.
Waco, TX (multiple campuses)
Precision Machining Technology programs across multiple Texas campuses. AAS and certificate options with strong job placement rates.
Phoenix, AZ (10 colleges)
Manufacturing and machining programs across the Maricopa district. Serving Arizona's growing semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing sectors.
Norman, OK
Precision Machining program with CNC mill and lathe training. Oklahoma's CareerTech system provides affordable technical education.
West
Fullerton, CA
Manufacturing Technology and CNC programs in Orange County. Certificate and AS degree options with industry-advisory-guided curriculum.
Torrance, CA
Machine Tool Technology program in the South Bay aerospace corridor. CNC, manual machining, and CAD/CAM near major defense contractors.
Cupertino, CA
Manufacturing and CNC Technology program in Silicon Valley. Training for precision parts production serving tech and medical device industries.
Los Angeles, CA
Machine Shop and CNC Manufacturing programs. Historic trade school serving LA's diverse manufacturing sector since 1925.
San Jose, CA
Machine Technology program in the heart of Silicon Valley. Training for precision manufacturing in the Bay Area tech ecosystem.
San Diego, CA
Free advanced manufacturing training for veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. NIMS and AWS certifications included.
Colorado Springs, CO
Machine Tool Technology program near major defense installations. Certificate and AAS options with CNC, CAD/CAM, and metrology training.
Westminster, CO
Machining and Manufacturing Technology programs serving the Denver metro. NIMS-aligned with industry apprenticeship connections.
Denver, CO
Advanced Manufacturing program with CNC machining concentration. Urban campus with evening classes for working students.
Lehi, UT
CNC Machining program in Utah's Silicon Slopes. Competency-based training with open-entry enrollment and flexible scheduling.
Logan, UT
Machine Tool Technology program with CNC training. Open-entry format with NIMS certification preparation.
Northwest
Bellingham, WA
CNC Machinist program with AAS degree and certificates. Strong aerospace supply chain connections in Washington state.
Spokane, WA
Precision Machining and Manufacturing program. Serves eastern Washington's manufacturing sector with CNC and manual machining training.
Seattle, WA
Machine Technology program in the Puget Sound aerospace manufacturing corridor. CNC, manual machining, and precision measurement.
Eugene, OR
Manufacturing Technology program with CNC machining focus. Serves Oregon's growing advanced manufacturing sector.
Portland, OR
Machine Manufacturing Technology program at multiple campuses. Certificate and AAS options with strong industry advisory board.
Washington State
Registered apprenticeship programs for CNC machinists in Washington's aerospace sector. Earn while you learn with Boeing and other employers.
Apprenticeship Programs
Registered apprenticeships that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. You get paid while you learn, and most lead to journeyman status.
Nationwide
U.S. Department of Labor portal for finding registered machinist apprenticeships. Search by state, employer, or sponsor. The official starting point.
Online + On-the-Job
Online related technical instruction component for machinist apprenticeships. Pairs with employer on-the-job training for DOL registration.
Puget Sound, WA & St. Louis, MO
Boeing Technical Apprenticeship Program — 3-year registered apprenticeship covering CNC machining, toolmaking, and aerospace manufacturing.
Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee
Joint GM-UAW skilled trades apprenticeships including tool and die maker and CNC machinist paths at major auto manufacturing plants.
Dearborn, MI & nationwide plants
Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee offering tool & die maker and machinist apprenticeships at Ford manufacturing facilities.
Pittsburgh, PA
NTMA-sponsored 4-year registered apprenticeship in precision machining. Combines shop training with Tooling U-SME classroom instruction.
Michigan
NTMA training and apprenticeship programs in Michigan's automotive manufacturing corridor. NIMS certification included.
65+ programs nationwide
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers sponsors 65+ registered apprenticeship programs across the US and Canada.
Puget Sound, WA
IAM District 751 and Boeing joint apprenticeship for machinists in the Puget Sound aerospace corridor. 4-year program with full benefits.
Northeast US
IAM District 15 machinist apprenticeship programs serving the New York and New England manufacturing regions.
Multiple locations
Training institute affiliated with the IAM offering machinist and CNC operator training with apprenticeship pathways and NIMS certification.
Certifications
Industry-recognized credentials for machinists. If you're looking at certifications, NIMS is the one most employers ask about.
Nationwide
The most widely recognized machining credential in the US. 20+ certifications covering CNC milling, CNC turning, grinding, EDM, and more. Most employers know what NIMS means.
Nationwide
Entry-level manufacturing certification from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Validates broad manufacturing knowledge including machining fundamentals.
Nationwide
Advanced manufacturing certification requiring 8+ years of experience or a degree plus experience. Demonstrates mastery of manufacturing engineering.
Online
Free certification from Haas Automation covering CNC mill and lathe operation knowledge. A solid first credential if you're just getting started.
Nationwide
Precision Metalforming Association certification for stamping, forming, and fabrication professionals. Validates metalforming process knowledge.
Nationwide
American Welding Society certifications (CWI, CWSR, CWE) for machinists who also weld. Many machine shops require welding skills alongside machining.
Government & Military Training
Free and subsidized machining training through federal programs, military transition assistance, and government-funded workforce development.
Nationwide (120+ centers)
Free residential machining training for ages 16–24. Includes housing, meals, healthcare, and living allowance. Earn NIMS certifications while training.
Nationwide
Active-duty service members can train at manufacturing companies during their last 180 days of service. Full military pay while learning machining from civilian employers.
Nationwide
Free advanced manufacturing training for transitioning service members. Partnered with Tooling U-SME for online coursework and NIMS certification.
San Diego, CA
Free 16-week advanced manufacturing programs for veterans and transitioning military. Graduate with NIMS machining and AWS welding certifications.
Online + Oak Ridge, TN
Free DOD-funded program to rebuild America's machining workforce. 8-week online fundamentals course followed by optional 8-week in-person advanced training.
Multiple military bases
Manufacturing Institute program on military bases providing manufacturing certifications to transitioning service members. Includes job placement support.
Washington State
AJAC's veteran-specific apprenticeship pathway program. Connects veterans to registered machinist apprenticeships in Washington's aerospace industry.
Nationwide (51 centers)
Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers in every state offering workforce development, training programs, and connections to local machining employers.
Looking for professional organizations? See our Industry Associations page.