If you’d like a high-paying career upon graduating from BTC, then you should consider Precision Machining. You’ll be prepared to work right away as a machinist; with experience you can advance to positions such as journey level machinist, tool programmer, CNC operator/programmer or engineer.
You’ll learn how to use machine tools such as lathes, drill presses, and milling machines, plus blueprint reading, basic CNC programming and machine processes. Employers who hire graduates from the Precision Machining program include aircraft, boat, and automobile manufacturers, industrial machinery firms, and machine shops.
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
81% BTC graduate placement rate1
$60,276 starting annual wage2
$83,806 average annual wage2
$96,512 potential annual wage2
This is not a stand-alone certificate, students must meet all program level entry requirements.
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
NOTE: The Quality Assurance certifcate is an embedded certificate and is not a stand alone enrollment. |
QA 110 | Introduction to Quality Assurance for Machining | 3 CR |
QA 115 | Intermediate Quality Assurance for Machining | 3 CR |
QA 120 | Advanced Quality Assurance for Machining | 3 CR |
AENGL 100 | Applied English | 5 CR |
AMATH 100 | Applied Occupational Math | 5 CR |
After successfully completing the Quality Assurance certificate, students will be able to:
Employment of machinists is expected to increase and employment of CNC operators is expected to increase. About 82 percent of program graduates are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual wage in this field is $59,155, with an earning potential of about $90,542 per year.*
Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.
Although most program graduates work as machinists, with experience, graduates can advance to positions such as journey level machinist, tool programmer, CNC operator/programmer, manager, engineer and machine and shop tools sales and service representative.
In addition, some graduates are self-employed. Around the country, most machinists work in small machining shops or in manufacturing firms that produce durable goods, such as metalworking and industrial machinery, aircraft, or motor vehicles.
Jeff has ten years experience as a machinist in a wide range of specialties, from aerospace to musical instrument manufacturing. Jeff started his machining career as a CNC operator for JAMCO America in Everett. After six years at JAMCO, Jeff came to BTC as a student and is a proud graduate of the Precision Machining program. After earning his degree Jeff worked as a programmer/operator for custom door manufacturer Northstar Woodworks in Ferndale, and as a set-up machinist for ProCNC in Bellingham. Jeff is currently a contract Mastercam programmer/prototyper/consultant for acoustic guitar parts supplier Pacific Rim Tonewoods in Concrete. Jeff started at BTC in July, 2014.
If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.
Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email AdvancedManufacturingNav@btc.edu