About Machinists

The backbone of the manufacturing, a machinist is the master of machinery. He can operate, fix and customize most of the equipment under his charge. Some machinists go into business creating the hard-to-find parts needed to keep industry going. Others create the very machines that factories depend. Their profession takes more than skill. It involves years of training and education to become a machinist, making him more than a glorified factory worker.

Significance

Machinists create, maintain and operate the parts and equipment needed to manufacture just about everything used in a person's daily life. Many people believe that modern machinery. If that is true, then the machinist is the person who directs those machines to create a product. His skills with a certain piece of equipment or area of manufacturing give him the knowledge to make specialized parts as needed. They can make certain parts to order or produce an entire batch of one particular part. Some machinists go into business for themselves doing just that, making parts to order. Without them, then the time and cost of mass production would make it unuseful to create certain parts. This would make the machines they go into obsolete.

Features

Machinists go through several years of training and education before they can call themselves qualified. They first go through a four-year apprenticeship, which usually begins while they are in technical college for an associate's degree. After school, the apprentice is given on the job training, and then has to pass the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) skills test. Although it is mandatory, many apprenticeships require NIMS certification in order to exit the program.

Types

Machinists work as machine setters and operators. They work with welding, lathes, milling machines and more. A machinist can be a general practitioner working for a specific company or a specialized owner of a small business.

Theories/Speculation

Many scholars and government agencies forecast a rapidly increasing demand for machinists as the current generations of masters retire. Because the work isn't as glamorous as law, medicine, or technology, there is concern that the ranks of machinist will not be replenished. Thus, the job outlook for a machinist entering apprenticeship today is very promising.

Misconceptions

There is more to a machinist's job than just metalworking. This position demands knowledge of blue print reading and creation. Precision measurement is also essential to a machinist's work. As technology progresses, so does the need for a machinist to know and understand computer-guided manufacturing tools and processes.

Resources

• U.S. Department of Labor's description of a machinist's duties with a job forecast.