Techworks CNC machine training program offers new job possibilities

By Susan Johnson
Copy Editor

Fast-Track your way to an exciting, new career in today’s automated manufacturing. There are open positions at many companies in the stateline area, and Rock Valley College’s EIGERlab can help you on your way.

The new TechWworks CNC machine training program is a six-week course offered at EIGERlab, 605 Fulton Ave., Rockford. Orientation will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 16. The next Fast-Track training class will begin Monday, Nov. 30. Cost is $2,400 (financial assistance is available). To register, call (815) 315-6354.

The Rock River Times talked with Sherri Pritz, marketing coordinator at EIGERlab, for more details.

TRRT: How did the program get started?

Pritz: “It came to the EIGERlab several years ago, and we revamped the program last year. We met with local manufacturers, and they wanted to add a job readiness component. We also had the ACT WorkKeys assessment. We made the class longer. It is now six weeks. We also added the NIMS credential — National Institute of Metalworking Skills.”

TRRT: About how many people are in this program?

Pritz: “It is nine students, and we try to run one program every month or month and a half. It’s a six-week program.”

TRRT: Are there any local manufacturers that have expressed interest?

Pritz: “Definitely. Technet has an advisory board comprised of local manufacturers.”

Pritz shared with us a fact sheet that explains who would benefit from the program.

Q: Who is a good fit for the new TechWorks F-T curriculum?

A: Any individual who:

• Has the desire to work in the advanced manufacturing field

• Has a high school or college education and is interested in a secure industry

• Is unemployed, underemployed or wants to make a change in a secure industry; (must possess good reading and math skills)

• Is interested in the opportunity to potentially program CNC machinery

• Is interested in the opportunity to potentially supervise CNC machinists

TechWorks sends out résumés and assists people with finding work. Some have even been hired before they finished the six-week training. TechWorks has an approximate 80 percent success rate of placing people in jobs.

Rich Hook, a December 2010 graduate, said, “I was hired immediately after graduating from Fast-Track training by a local manufacturer, where I am already utilizing my skills learning how to program machines.”

For more information, call (815) 315-6354.

From the Nov. 16-22, 2011, issue