Recent High School Graduate Sets Her Sights on New CNC Career
Jaqueline Beltran Gonzalez recently completed OCC's five-week CNC Machine Operator training program.
Jaqueline Beltran Gonzalez graduated high school within the last year and previously worked as a machine operator at a manufacturing company. Looking to advance her career opportunities, she enrolled in OCC’s CNC Machine Operator five-week training program to learn more about the industry.
During the five weeks, she learned about four CNC topics: Measurement, Materials, and Safety, Job Planning, Benchwork, and Layout, CNC Milling Level I, and CNC Turning Level I.
In addition to the coursework, students spend time in the CNC lab doing hands-on projects. They can also earn up to three National Institute for Metalworking (NIMS) certificates, a Mike Rowe Work Ethic credential, an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA 10) card, and a completion certificate.
“Jaqueline was very motivated and determined to earn the NIMS certifications,” said program coordinator Jessica Knapik.
Beltran Gonzalez thought it was a good program if you don’t have any prior CNC experience. “You’ll learn about the subjects and the instructor explained the material really well.”
A key feature of the five-week CNC training program is the employer engagement activities.
“We bring in professionals working in the field for classroom presentations, schedule tours, and host an interview day,” explained Knapik. For this last CNC cohort, six employers participated in interview day. The event features businesses that are actively hiring for open CNC positions. Students are given 15 minutes to interview with each company. The primary goal is to connect students directly with someone in the field, with the hope of landing a job offer.
Before the training was complete, Beltran Gonzalez was hired by Micro Gauge as a CNC Machine Operator.
“Companies are very eager to hire for these positions. Nearly 90% of the students from our last cohort were hired within a few weeks of the training,” Knapik said.
If you are interested in Starting your Someday, visit the program web page. Questions? Email us at wfdev@oaklandcc.edu.