CNC Technician
Technical Diploma
15 Credits | 1 Year Part-time
Rice Lake
Career Cluster: Manufacturing
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Machining is the foundation of all manufacturing. If you have never heard of machine tool or machining it is an essential part of your life. Any product you own, use or even touch has either been machined or has been made from a die or mold that has been machined. Machining is mostly done with computer controlled equipment and is the modern replacement to manually operated machine tools used thru the 1950s and '60s. CNC machines cut material, everything from metal to plastic, to make parts, and molds, for the manufacturing industry. People who become machinists are well paid and in high demand.
Tuition reimbursement may be available to assist with your training in CNC Technician as part of the Housing Opportunity & Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) Grant. To determine if you are eligible, please contact an Admission Advisor. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Program Overview
The CNC Technician program prepares students for a career in the machining industry. Students will learn how to set up and program basic three-axis mills and two-axis CNC lathes.
Program Outcomes
CNC Technician graduates will be able to:
- Apply basic safety practices in the machine shop
- Interpret industrial/engineering drawings
- Apply precision measuring methods to part inspection
- Perform basic machine tool equipment set up and operation
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
As a machinist, you will learn a highly skilled trade that requires precision and attention to detail. You will interpret engineering drawings, apply precision measuring methods for inspection, perform CNC programming with software.
Northwood Tech students are in high demand.
Graduates get high starting salaries.
Learn by doing.
Academics
CNC Technician is offered on the Rice Lake campus, but similar programs are offered at all four of the Northwood Tech locations.
Career Pathways
The CNC Technician program is a short-term technical diploma that transfers into other Northwood Tech machining programs at Ashland, New Richmond and Superior campuses.
Experienced Instructors
As a CNC Technician student at Northwood Tech, you will have access to instructors with years of machining experience in a variety of industries.
Current Technology
Being able to program CNC equipment as well as learning programs such as Master Cam will make you an attractive employment candidate for area employers.
Required Courses
Program specific subjects covered including Machining Fundamentals, Introduction to CAD/CAM, Print Reading for Machine Trades and Milling and Turning 1 and 2.
Featured CNC Technician Courses
CNC Technician is Part of a Career Pathway
As a CNC Technician student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way!
This is the program you're looking at.
CNC Technician
You can continue your education to advance your skills.
Continue your education to earn your bachelor's degree.
Admissions and Tuition
Tuition and Fees
Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Learn More About Paying for College
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
CNC Technician
15 Credits | Less Than 1 Year
$2,785
Grant funded for 2024/2025
Plus $2,150 for tools, supplies and uniforms (Optional)
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech CNC Technician Program
Upon completing the program, you will earn a technical diploma in CNC Technician. Continue your education at Northwood Tech into the Machine Tool Operation - CNC technical diploma program.
Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
HOMES Grant
Equal Opportunity
No person may be denied admission to, participation in, employment at, the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any service, program, course or facility of Northwood Technical College because of the person's political affiliation, age, race, creed, religion, color, handicap (disability), marital status, parental status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, pregnancy, arrest record, conviction record, service in the armed forces, genetic testing, or use or non-use of lawful products off the College premises during non-working or non-class hours.
Funding
The 3-year, $9.8 million Housing Opportunity & Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) project is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Impact Seven will provide an additional $20 million for sustainable affordable housing options within the district. Northwood Technical College will provide an additional $1.25 million to conduct advanced manufacturing training for underemployed, unemployed, and special population individuals.
Reporting
General demographic and job placement information of program participants will be used and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development as one measurement of success for this grant-funded program.
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
