Advanced manufacturing uses innovative methods to create new or existing products. Many career options are available that use advanced manufacturing technology. If you’re looking for a career that lets you work with your hands while using the most up-to-date technology, it might be worth considering a future in manufacturing.
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CNC production Specialist
CNC production specialists use specialized, computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut and create parts. They program the machines to follow a series of prompts to cut and shape materials including metal and plastics.
Career opportunities for CNC production specialists are expected to grow by about 8% over the next 10 years 1. Opportunities for CNC production specialists are often found in aerospace engineering, automotive manufacturing, and metalworking industries.
You can become a CNC production specialist by enrolling in a career certificate program and taking advanced manufacturing classes. The program at Orange Technical College takes 600 hours or about six months of full-time study.
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Welder
Welders join metal parts together using hand or remotely controlled equipment. They’re needed in a wide range of industries, from auto manufacturing to construction. Most welders use arc welding, which uses electricity to produce heat and bond metal parts together. Other techniques include oxyacetylene cutting (OFC), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW).
As the country’s infrastructure gets older, there is an increased demand for people to repair it. There’s also an increased demand for welders to work on aerospace and vehicular projects. Over the next 10 years, job opportunities for welders are expected to increase by about 8%2.
While you can become a welder without any specialized training and can learn on the job, many employers now want to hire welders with some training, such as a career certificate. Orange Technical College offers a two-part welding certificate program for people interested in pursuing a welding career.
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Industrial Maintenance Technician
Industrial maintenance technicians are responsible for repairing and maintaining industrial machinery and factory equipment. They might work on repairing packaging equipment, conveying systems, or production machinery.
The process of becoming an industrial maintenance technician typically involves developing an understanding of mechanical, computer, software, control, electronic, and systems design engineering, or mechatronics. Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary engineering field that provides graduates with a thorough understanding of advanced manufacturing technology.
Job opportunities for industrial maintenance technicians are expected to grow quickly over the next 10 years. Opportunities are expected to increase by 19% by 20303, thanks in large part to the adoption of automated manufacturing machinery.
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Machinist
While CNC production specialists focus on using CNC machines, machinists are more generalized. They might be trained to use CNC machines or they might work with manual or automatic machines as well. Some machinists, known as precision machinists, are highly specialized and work in small batches or produce just one type of product.
The machining technologies career certificate program at Orange Technical College lasts for 15 months and teaches students to use lathes, drill presses, grinders, and mills. They also learn to read blueprints and take precision measurements.
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Major Appliance and Refrigeration Technician
Today’s refrigerators, stoves, and other home appliances are becoming more and more complex, thanks to technology improvements. Thanks to smart home technology, today’s homes are more connected and energy-efficient than ever before.
Smarter technology also means more advanced technology, requiring skilled technicians to repair and maintain today’s appliances.
Orange Technical College’s major appliance and refrigeration technician career certificate program prepares you for a fulfilling career as a technician. The program takes about one year full-time and can lead to an advanced manufacturing job as a laundry technician, cooling appliance technician, or cooking appliance technician.
As technological advances continue, manufacturing will continue to become more complex and will require trained machinists and technicians to keep equipment operating smoothly. If a career in advanced manufacturing appeals to you, contact Orange Technical College today to learn more about the steps to enrollment.
Sources:
- Machinists and Tool and Die-Makers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/machinists-and-tool-and-die-makers.htm#tab-6
- Welders, BLS, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm#tab-6
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights, BLS, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechanics-and-maintenance-workers-and-millwrights.htm#tab-6