This curriculum is designed to prepare the student for a career in the fields of manufacturing and production technology. Positions in a conventional machine shop and/or a computer Numerical Control shop can be attained by program graduates.

Nature of Work
Graduates in Manufaturing Engineering Technology work using machine tools such as lathes, drill presses, milling equipment, and machine tools that are computer numerically controlled (CNC) to produce precision metal parts. The controller reads a program and runs the machine tool's mechanisms through various machining processes. Machinists today even act as tool programmers to write the programs in the language of the machines controller and store it.

Jobs
Machinist, tool programmers, production machinists, and tool and die maker.

Employers
Industry, manufacturing, macine shops, and Computer Numerical Control shops.

Outlook
Employment of machinists and tool programmers is expected to decline slightly through the year 2006, mainly because of the use of computer controlled machine tools. However, job opportunities will remain good for those with the necessary skills and training. The number of openings for machinists is expected to be much greater than the number of openings for tool programmers, simply because the occupation is larger.

Earnings
Nationally, machinists earned about $550 a week in 1996. In Illinois, 1998 average entry wage was $8.58/hr. Locally, entry level and experienced machinists earned $10.00-$14.24/hr respectively in 1998.

Tech Prep
Manufacturing Engineering Technology is currently designed for Tech Prep. Students in High School should contact their High School Counselor.

Earnings vary greatly according to location, experience, and individual.