Blackhawk Technical College: To offer summer Computer Numeric Control boot camp

Contact: Gary Kohn (608) 757-7769 or cell (608) 436-9578

gkohn@blackhawk.edu

JANESVILLE – Wisconsin manufacturers looking to add to their skilled metalworking workforce are encouraged to investigate an Automated Machining Fundamentals “boot camp” to be held in August at Blackhawk Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Milton.

The five-day Computer Numeric Control milling boot camp is intended to infuse a new generation of skilled craftspeople in manufacturing and negate the trend that sees fewer tradespeople entering the skilled metalworking trades workforce.

The boot camp is run in conjunction with Blackhawk Technical College’s Business and Community Development division and will be taught by Thomas Pleuger, a CNC Technician Program instructor at BTC.

Ideal participants are those currently working in a manufacturing setting in unskilled or semi-skilled positions and who are looking to advance into skilled machinist positions.

The program will run from Aug. 3 to Aug. 7 and is open to 12 participants. The cost is $1,500 per participant, who must be contracted and paid for by the participant’s employer.

“One of the prominent problems in U.S. manufacturing is the lack of qualified craftspeople,’’ Pleuger noted. “This development program includes outcomes designed to develop a new generation of skilled trades’ people.’’

Course subjects include materials and processes, milling machine operations and setup and introductory CNC programming. Students are encouraged to have an understanding of mechanical blueprints and competency in the use of basic hand tools.

Following completion of the course, students should be able to understand the manufacturing process, materials and machine capabilities; write, edit and debug basic CNC programs; and set up and operate a CNC milling machine, among other skills.

Manufacturers interested in more information about the boot camp or enrolling workers should contact Doug Holmes, BCD’s manager of training and consulting, at (608) 743-4597 or dholmes9@blackhawk.edu.

BTC’s state of the art Advanced Manufacturing Training Center is located at 15 Plumb St., Milton.

ABOUT BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Blackhawk Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. BTC has five campus locations in Monroe, Milton, Beloit and Janesville, WI offering more than 50 programs including two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas. In addition, BTC is a major provider of customized training and technical assistance for the Rock and Green County business community. More than half of all adults living in Wisconsin have accessed the technical colleges for education and training during the last decade.