Machinists are in high demand in western Canada—from the oil patch to power utilities, from manufacturing facilities to mines, mills and chemical plants. The job demands both problem-solving and creativity to machine parts to blueprint specifications. Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Machinist certificate program can fast-track students into the workforce, and give them a head start on apprenticeship. Students will need good computer skills, math skills and be comfortable working in industrial settings.

Students will learn on a variety of machine tools in Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s well-equipped shops including lathes, mills, drill presses, surface grinders, CNC lathes and machining centres. Students will also learn online, blended training for the CNC course, and participate in an industry-based work experience. Experienced instructors who understand the demands of industrial workplaces, from maintaining workflow to working safely, will help students build knowledge and skills in:

• Blueprint reading, technical drawing, precision measurement • Communications and applied math • Computer numerical control (CNC) • Drilling machine operations • Grinding and sawing operations • Heat treatment processes • Lathe operations • Materials selection • Milling machine operations

Graduates of the certificate program are working in manufacturing facilities, equipment repair shops, custom machine shops, steel mills, metal fabrication plants, power generating plants, food processing plants, mines, welding repair shops, engine rebuilding shops and machine manufacturing companies.