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TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT A REVOLUTION IN STEEL

from BluePrint 2023

by Arkansas Times

from BluePrint 2023, page 74

TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT A REVOLUTIO...

JIM SHELTON

Roll Mill Manager, Nucor-Yamato

Steel

Hometown: Belleville, IL

Age: 55

Years with Nucor: 37

BLUEPRINT: What is your background?

JIM SHELTON: My uncle used to work for a steel company in California that closed down, and when Nucor Utah was built, he was recruited. We used to visit my uncle every year, and the steel industry just interested me. I started with Nucor 15 days after I turned 18. I worked at one of our other divisions in northern Utah for three years and then transferred to Nucor-Yamato Steel (NYS) in 1988 when this division was built.

BP: How did you learn the job skills you needed, starting that young?

JS: Nucor invests time in training new teammates, they are our most important resource. You are not just put out on the floor to figure it out on your own. I had a lot of folks along the way who taught, coached and mentored me throughout my career. We have a training calendar at our division so that the team has access to training that is available. Some training is required annually to make sure everyone is refreshed on certain topics.

Nucor also offers tuition reimbursement for teammates and their spouses who have an interest in furthering their education. We have several different safety ownership teams to get involved with that have different subject matter and offer team building and leadership opportunities without a title.

We also offer cross-training in different areas. If a teammate has an interest in an area, and maybe wants to learn more about it, they sign up on their days off to work in a different area which gives them a look at what it’s like in other areas of the mill and gives that area a look at the teammate. There are a lot of opportunities at Nucor, the sky is the limit, you just need to take advantage of the opportunities when they are available.

BP: What other skills do people need to be successful at Nucor?

JS: To me, attitude, the ability to learn, and getting along with others, those are things you start with. Those are fundamental traits to build a successful Nucor teammate from. From a leadership standpoint, it’s having the ability to create relationships, having the courage to have tough conversations on the front end, and understanding your team.

BP: How does it feel to have created such a long and successful career?

JS: I can’t imagine working for anybody else. We empower our teams at the floor level to be creative and look for safer and more productive ways of doing the things we do. It’s not the manager or the supervisor who makes things happen, it’s the teammates on the floor. You don’t have to have a position in management to be a leader at Nucor. It is very fulfilling to see new teammates join Nucor and watch their careers develop and be successful long-term teammates.

Shannon Woolsey

Inside Sales Representative, Nucor-Yamato Steel

Hometown: Blytheville, AR

Age: 37

Years with Nucor: 3 years

BLUEPRINT: Did you start out to go into manufacturing?

SHANNON WOOLSEY: I earned an associate degree from Arkansas Northeastern College in 2009. From there I went to Arkansas State University Tech Center for a cosmetology and cosmetology instructor licenses. I owned a salon and then worked for a salon for a few years.

BP: How did that turn into a career in the steel industry?

SW: As a cosmetologist, I had a lot of clients who worked at Nucor. I had never been out to Nucor, didn’t even know where it was located. I had this one customer in particular who said, ‘I think you would be a good fit for Nucor.’ I enjoyed what I was doing, and the schedule, but one door led to another and before I knew it, I was at Nucor to interview and was hired.

BP: What’s the best thing about working at Nucor?

SW: Something I’ve really enjoyed about Nucor is the chance for advancement. If you’re open to new possibilities, there’s someone there who’s going to push you along and help you along the way. Internal advancement has always been preached and practiced here at Nucor.

BP: What have been some ways you have improved your overall skillset?

SW: I was part of the group that started Toastmasters at Nucor Yamato. I was also part of the Blytheville Leadership Institute which helped me learn more about what northeast Arkansas has to offer. I have completed the company’s Seven Habits of Highly Successful People class and I’m currently going through the Extreme Ownership program.

BP: What advice do you have for the next generation?

SW: Be respectful of leadership and other teammates, be a hands-on teammate, be willing to jump in and help and avoid saying, ‘That’s not my job.’ Be humble and willing to take the trash out if it needs to be taken out.

Communication is another important thing. We do a lot of coaching on communication skills. Someone in New York probably does not have the same personality or mindset that I have as a Southern girl. I have to know how to communicate with customers all over the United States.

HOT JOBS!

Shift Electrician

DIVISION(S): Nucor-Yamato Steel and Nucor Steel Arkansas

AVERAGE SALARY: $88,000+

WHAT DOES THE JOB DO?

Our team is expected to demonstrate safety-minded support of our entire maintenance team while seeking to provide world-class reliability for our customers. We support our maintenance and production teams via electrical and mechanical troubleshooting in a given area of the mill. Our team is responsible for planning, installation, programming, testing and troubleshooting of electrical machinery and automation systems. The person in this role must diagnose process and equipment problems and take appropriate measures to resolve issues. Shift electricians are responsible for the continuous process of steel manufacturing. These experienced industrial automation systems technicians are responsible for planning, installing, programming, testing and troubleshooting of electrical machinery.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: Electrical interruptions in the steel-making process can be costly. Shift electricians are the first defense against avoidable downtime. They rely on their years of experience and training to solve complex troubleshooting issues, which is essential for an efficient steelmaking process.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES: Some of the skill sets for success in this role include understanding of electrical theory, process instrumentation, ability to read electrical schematics, troubleshooting skills, programming experience and control systems.

• Understanding of electrical theory, process instrumentation and control systems

• Ability to read electrical schematics

• Ability to troubleshoot electrical systems and equipment

• Proficient in the use of electrical test equipment

• Related industrial maintenance and automation experience in a manufacturing facility OR equivalent electrical training OR equivalent military experience

• Experience with medium-high voltage

• Usage and limitations of various electrical troubleshooting tools and instruments

Experience with:

• PC, PLC, PID control and visualization programming

• AC motors and drives/maintenance and control of DC motors

• Electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic LOTO

• Hydraulic and pneumatic troubleshooting

• Industrial motor starter circuit layout and troubleshooting

• Industrial instrumentation

WHAT MAKES THIS POSITION IN HIGH DEMAND?

Industrial shift electricians require experience or equivalent technical training. Individuals with this skill set are in high demand and are being heavily pursued by all industrial facilities. Nucor also offers many job opportunities in this area where people of various skill levels can start potentially leading to high-level career positions.

HOW DO I LEARN MORE? Please visit Nucor.com/careers to learn more about this opportunity.

After a bumpy few years that saw some operators scaling back their operations, agri-timber is back in a big way in Arkansas. Since 2015, investment is up, demand is running high, and the need for workers is nearly constant. For people with the right skills and a good work ethic, the agri-timber industry provides a solid career choice.

WHAT DOES AN AGRI-TIMBER WORKER DO?

Agri-timber involves the management of forest resources, harvesting of trees in an environmentally responsible manner and processing the wood into a variety of products that consumers and other industries rely on every day. These final products range from lumber for the construction industry to paper products, to processed building products such as plywood and veneers. The types of careers available in this field include:

Logging equipment operators

• Use tree harvesters to fell trees, shear off limbs and cut trees into desired lengths.

• Drive tractors and operate machines called skidders, or forwarders, which drag or push logs to a loading area.

Log graders and scalers

• Inspect logs for defects and measure the logs to determine their volume.

• Estimate the value of logs or pulpwood.

• Often use hand-held data collection devices to track forest and specimen data.

Diesel techs

• Diesel engines power many industrial vehicles and machines.

• Diesel engines are increasingly sophisticated, with onboard electronics and telematics.

• Skilled diesel techs are required to keep such machines running at peak efficiency.

Just like any other manufacturing facility, sawmills and paper/pulp mills are dependent on a variety of skilled professionals, such as computer programmers/coders, electricians, plumbers and industrial maintence workers.

WHAT’S NEW?

Advanced manufacturing

Sawmills and paper/pulp mills have a long-standing reputation for being hot, smelly and unpleasant places to work. However, many of today’s mills rely on advanced manufacturing techniques, which harness the power of technology and automation to process raw timber. This results in a cleaner, safer and more comfortable workplace, greater yield and efficiency, and more responsible handling of waste products.

WHERE DO AGRI-TIMBER PROFESSIONALS WORK?

Generally speaking, logging crews spend their time outdoors in the woods, working in all types of weather. Factories and processing plants tend to be located within a reasonable distance of where the trees are harvested to help contain logistical costs.

Arkansas’s timber processing plants are scattered throughout the state, with many of them clustered in the southwest corner, extending from Fort Smith diagonally to Arkansas City on the Mississippi River and to the Louisiana and Texas state lines.

WHAT’S THE JOB OUTLOOK?

Logging graders and scalers is a growing field in Arkansas. Forecasters predict the field will increase by 6% over the next few years, better than the national average. The number of logging equipment operators in the state is expected to drop slightly, down 3%, which is on par with national numbers.

How

MUCH CAN I MAKE?

• Lower range wages (bottom 10%) — $23,620 annually/$11.36 per hour

Middle range wages (median) — $46,750 annually/$22.48 per hour

• Higher range wages (top 10%) — $61,270 annually/$29.46 per hour

Log Graders and Scalers

• Lower range wages (bottom 10%) — $29,890 annually/$14.37 per hour

• Middle range wages (median) — $37,360 annually/$17.96 per hour

Higher range wages (top 10%) — $47,880 annually/$23.02 per hour

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

Communication skills

• Must communicate with other crew members to perform work efficiently and safely.

• Must be able to work as part of a team.

Computer skills

• Able to operate and adjust digitally controlled factory equipment or handheld devices.

Detail oriented

• Must watch gauges, dials and other indicators to determine if equipment and tools are working properly.

HOW DO I LEARN THE CRAFT?

A high school diploma is all that’s required for most logging jobs.

• Most industry-specific training comes on the job.

• Some community colleges offer associate degrees or certificates in forest technology.

• A few community colleges offer education programs for logging equipment operators.

• Many state forestry or logging associations provide training sessions for logging equipment operators. Training often takes place in the field, where trainees can practice various logging techniques and use specific equipment.

• Logging companies and trade associations may also offer training programs for workers who operate large, expensive machinery and equipment.

• Such programs often culminate in a state-recognized safety certificate from the logging company.

Did you ever notice how many people work in a hospital, clinic or even the office of your family doctor? The fact is it takes many trained people working together to deliver health care in the United States, and only a fraction of them have ever set foot inside a nursing or medical school. If you have an interest in the medical field, but don’t see yourself becoming a doctor or nurse, there’s a job waiting in the allied health field that’s got your name on it.

WHAT DOES AN ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL DO?

Allied health is a broad category of careers within the health care field. The number, variety and range of these jobs is vast — some estimates say up to 60% of all jobs in the health care field are classified as allied health professions. Many of these positions do not require a four-year degree, which allows people to start a career quickly.

Allied health professionals are the support staff at the doctor's or dentist’s right hand; they work in the pharmacy, the medical lab or the rehabilitation room, and they are the personnel trained to operate diagnostic medical equipment.

WHY SUCH HIGH DEMAND?

• People are living longer, thanks to advancements in medicine, technology and healthy habits.

• The increase of certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, which have more complications and require more care.

• Gerontology (senior citizen care) is exploding with the aging of the baby boomers.

A Sample Of Allied Health Jobs

The website careerprofiles.info compiled a list of the fastest-growing allied health care jobs in the United States. The list includes medical assistants, cardiovascular technologists and technicians and respiratory therapists Medical assistants perform clinical and administrative duties for doctors, surgeons, chiropractors and other medical specialists.

• Typical job duties: Answering phones, greeting patients, maintaining medical records, scheduling patient appointments and handling patient billing.

• Education: Generally includes a certification or associate degree that takes 1-2 years to complete.

• Job Growth: Job demand is expected to grow 17% over the next few years, slightly higher than the national average.

• Pay: In Arkansas, the annual pay range for medical assistants is between $25,000 and $38,000.

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians help doctors diagnose and treat heart and vascular problems.

• Typical job duties: Prepare patients for heart procedures, such as balloon angioplasties, cardiac catheterizations and even open-heart surgery. They monitor heart rate and blood pressure and notify doctors after detecting abnormalities.

• Education: Most earn at least an associate degree at a community college; others complete a fouryear degree.

• Job Growth: Job demand is expected to grow 6% over the next few years, on par with the national average.

• Pay: In Arkansas, the annual pay range for cardiovascular technologists and technicians is between $30,000 and $76,000.

Respiratory Therapists assess, treat and assist patients with cardiopulmonary and other breathing problems.

• Typical job duties: Assess, treat and assist patients; oversee respiratory therapy, administer diagnostic tests and provide therapy.

• Education: Respiratory therapists generally hold an associate degree.

• Job Growth: Job demand is expected to grow 23% over the next few years, much faster than the national average.

• Pay: In Arkansas, the annual pay range for respiratory therapists is between $45,000 and $75,000.

WHERE DO ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WORK?

Most allied health professionals work in a medical setting, such as a doctor’s office, dental practice, clinic or hospital. Some may be mobile, bringing therapies to homebound patients or performing other duties.

Many allied health jobs are an extension of the physician and frequently have close contact with patients.

Not all allied health professionals act as front-line support for medical procedures, however. These professionals maintain patient records and coordinate with insurance carriers for payment, among other tasks. Except for the fact they work at a clinic or doctor’s office, their work isn’t much different than clerical tasks in any other office.

For more information on these and other allied health professional jobs and to find training programs, visit www.careeronestop.org.

Aviation comes in all shapes and sizes, from crop dusters and private planes, to small corporate jets, to commercial airliners. Arkansas has a little bit of everything when it comes to this field, as it is home to aircraft manufacturing companies, airports and fixed-base operations. It’s a growing field in need of talented, skilled employees.

WHAT DO AVIATION TECHNICIANS DO?

Aviation technicians perform a wide variety of duties on private and commercial aircraft. The actual job duties vary, depending on which area of the industry one chooses.

Airframe

• Perform inspections of aircraft frames, mechanical components and electrical systems to locate wear, defects and other problems.

• Test aircraft functions using diagnostic equipment to ensure proper performance.

• Repair or replace components using hand or power tools.

• Technicians may specialize in a certain category of aircraft, such as passenger jetliners, propeller-driven airplanes or helicopters.

• Technicians may also focus on different systems such as engines (also known as the “powerplant”) or hydraulics.

Avionics

• Specialize in aircraft electronics, which includes a range of job types.

• Responsible for all the electronics onboard an aircraft, as well as the wiring that connects components to the electrical system.

• Run cables, mount antennas and connect instruments for navigation and engine monitoring.

• Test onboard equipment to ensure it’s working properly.

WHERE DO AVIONIC TECHS WORK?

Some specific types of businesses that employ aircraft technicians include:

Fixed-Base Operations

At most airports, private companies called FixedBase Operations (FBO) provide a number of services to smaller aircraft, such as corporate jets and private planes. Aviation technicians provide maintenance services for aircraft using the FBO.

Airlines

Commercial airlines have a lot of planes they need to keep operational if they are going to stay on schedule and deliver their passengers safely. Aircraft and avionics technicians are a key element of their success.

Shipping companies

Not all airplanes deliver people; some deliver millions of pieces of freight and consumer mail or packages every day. Retailers rely on companies like FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service to deliver orders to their customers, and these shipping companies rely on their planes to make that happen.

Flying Services

Flight schools, crop-dusting operations and air charter companies all need technicians to keep their machines in top shape and operating safely.

WHAT’S THE JOB OUTLOOK?

Arkansas’s demand for aircraft mechanics and service technicians jobs is expected to grow 13% over the next few years, more than double the national average. Avionics technician jobs in the state are also expected to grow, albeit more slowly, at 5%.

HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE?

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Lower range wages (bottom 10%) — $36,900 annually/$17.74 per hour

• Middle range wages (median) — $56,100 annually /$26.97 per hour

• Higher range wages (top 10%) — $76,300 annually/$36.69 per hour

Avionics Technicians

• Lower range wages (bottom 10%) — $37,160 annually/$17.87 per hour

Middle range wages (median) — $59,950 annually/$28.82 per hour

• Higher range wages (top 10%) — $102,220 annually/$49.14 per hour

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

• Equipment Maintenance and Repairs

• Troubleshooting/Quality Control Analysis

• Critical Thinking

• Complex Problem Solving

HOW DO I LEARN THE CRAFT?

Aviation technicians typically have some training after high school, taken at a community college or specialized aviation technical school. Be sure to select a program that is FAA approved.

At the completion of this training, technicians take an exam administered by the FAA to obtain certification in their chosen field. Technicians can also expect to take continuing education classes or attend seminars or training sessions to stay current on new parts, regulations, technology and flight systems.

Once a technician receives an associate degree, they can opt to complete a four-year degree, which opens up a number of other job opportunities and greater earning power.

Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing drafters create 2D and 3D drawings that are used to manufacture products. Drafters also design and make parts for use in a number of machines that are part of the manufacturing processes.

WHAT DOES A CAD/CAM DRAFTER DO?

Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) are two computer-aided technologies. Starting in the 1980s, CAD/CAM programs have been used to make customized metal and plastic parts with computer-controlled machining.

The drafter (sometimes called a CAD operator) creates a technical drawing that contains all the dimensions for the part, much like a blueprint shows the dimensions of a house or building.

In addition to being faster than hand drawings and human-operated cutting or milling machines, CAD systems can also produce parts much more accurately. These machines have such precise measurements, they are accurate to 1/1,000 of an inch, one-third the width of a human hair.

WHAT’S NEW?

CAD is used in the design, development and manufacture of all kinds of products. CAD is widely used to produce parts for machines, in the design of manufacturing tools, and in designing residential and commercial buildings. CAD is especially important in microelectronics, providing lower development costs for newer, smaller and more powerful devices in a much shorter time frame. Drafters also work with CAD to create BIM drawings. BIM stands for building information modeling and is widely used in construction to produce highly accurate digital models of buildings and machines.

WHERE DO CAD/CAM DRAFTERS WORK?

Architectural drafters

Draw architectural and structural features of buildings for construction projects.

• May specialize in a type of building such as residential or commercial.

• May also specialize by the materials used, such as steel, wood or reinforced concrete.

Civil drafters

• Work with engineering firms, highway construction firms or within city planning departments. Prepare maps used in municipal construction projects, such as highways and bridges.

Electrical drafters

• Prepare wiring diagrams that construction workers use to install and repair electrical equipment and wiring in power plants, residential and commercial buildings.

Employed by a wide range of companies, including construction, electrical firms and manufacturers.

Electronics drafters

• Produce wiring diagrams for circuit boards.

• Produce layout drawings used in manufacturing and installing and repairing electronic devices and components.

Mechanical drafters

• Prepare layouts detailing a wide variety of machinery and mechanical tools and devices.

• Mechanical drafters also sometimes create production molds.

• Employed in a wide variety of manufacturing companies.

WHAT’S THE JOB OUTLOOK?

All categories combined, drafters in Arkansas held more than 1,000 jobs in 2018. More than half of those positions were in the architectural or civil fields. Most drafters work full time, spending the majority of their working hours in an indoor office setting. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, projected job growth for drafters overall is 2%. That may not sound like much, but it’s several percentage points above the national growth rate expected in these jobs.

How Much Can

I MAKE?

Architectural/Civil Drafters

• •Lower range wages (bottom 10%) — $36,900 annually/$17.74 per hour

• Middle range wages (median) — $49,320 annually/$23.71 per hour

• Higher range wages (top 10%) — $74,170 annually/$35.66 per hour

Electronics Drafters

• Lower range wages (bottom 10%) — $36,900 annually/$17.74 per hour

• Middle range wages (median) — $46,840 annually/$22.52 per hour

• Higher range wages (top 10%) — $76,600 annually/$36.83 per hour

Mechanical Drafters

• Lower range wages (bottom 10%) — $31,750 annually/$15.27 per hour

• Middle range wages (median) — $47,130 annually/$22.66 per hour

Higher range wages (top 10%) — $72,580 annually/$34.89 per hour

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

• Creativity

• Detail oriented

• Interpersonal skills such as communication

• Math/technical skills

• Time-management skills

HOW DO I LEARN THE CRAFT?

Drafters generally need to complete a two-year associate degree from a community college. Drafters do not generally complete an apprenticeship like other trades do. Community colleges offer programs that lead to an associate of applied science in drafting or a related degree. The types of courses offered will vary by institution; some institutions may specialize in only one type of drafting. The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) offers certification for drafters. ADDA certification shows you have invested extra time and effort into your craft and is sometimes required by your employer. It can also sometimes result in higher pay. Certifications are offered for several specialties, including architectural, civil and mechanical drafting.

Of all the skilled professions, carpentry is the oldest and arguably the most widely recognized. A skilled carpenter makes a positive, even life-changing impact on the people — and quality of life — in their community.

WHAT DOES A CARPENTER DO?

Carpenters construct, repair and install building frameworks, remodel and rehab existing buildings, and perform the finishing work made from wood and other materials.

Carpentry is a versatile occupation in the construction industry, with craftsmen and women generally proficient in a variety of tasks. Some carpenters are more specialized, such as those who insulate office buildings and/or install drywall or kitchen cabinets in homes.

The following are examples of types of carpenters:

Construction carpenters

• Construct, install and repair structures and fixtures.

• Use hand tools and power tools to complete their work.

• Construct building frameworks, such as walls, floors and doorframes.

Rough carpenters

• Build rough, temporary wooden structures, such as concrete forms and scaffolds.

• May also build tunnels, bridges or sewer supports.

• They use hand tools identical to that of construction carpenters.

WHAT’S NEW?

Cloud Computing/Apps

Visit a construction site and you’ll see more iPhones and iPads than paper blueprints. Being skilled in the trades means knowing how to quickly store and retrieve plans, documents and schematics, and that’s exactly what the cloud does for today’s carpenters and their clients.

If you choose to go into business for yourself, you will find apps that help you keep everything straight, from bidding new work to billing finished projects and everything in between.

Bim

Bulding information modeling allows architects, engineers, contractors and other construction professionals to create virtual plans. BIM also provides onboard tools for coordinating the many craftspeople who are scheduled to work on a building.

Changes can be made easily in the building specs without having to lug around paper plans or waste a lot of time and manpower running back to the contractor’s office.

It also provides a work structure for the tradesmen and women in their proper order and coordinates the delivery of materials such as lumber, concrete, roofing materials or drywall.

Drones

Unmanned aerial vehicles are playing a larger role in the construction industry. Drones equipped with cameras can access remote locations, collect data, complete safety inspections, capture project progress and more. Surveyors also use them to create 3D mapping.

WHERE DO CARPENTERS WORK?

Carpenters work indoors and outdoors on many types of construction projects, from highways to kitchen remodels. Working outdoors subjects them to variable weather conditions, and there are times when conditions are such that a carpenter cannot work at all.

Most carpenters work full time, which may include working evenings and weekends. This includes self-employed carpenters, particularly in the early stages of starting a business.

Safety equipment, such as boots, hardhats and harnesses (when working high off the ground), is required when working for a general contractor or in an industrial setting.

WHAT’S THE JOB OUTLOOK?

The Department of Labor predicts the number of carpenter jobs in Arkansas will grow slightly in the next few years. About a third of carpenters are self-employed and one in five works in residential construction. As with other construction jobs, carpenters are at the mercy of the economy, and when a slowdown occurs, building projects are sometimes postponed or even canceled. When that happens, workers get laid off.

HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE?

• Lower range wages (bottom 10%) — $28,830 annually/$13.86 per hour

• Middle range wages (median) — $38,130 annually/$18.33 per hour

• Higher range wages (top 10%) — $54,580 annually/$26.24 per hour

Your actual earnings depend on your experience, any specialties you might have and even the part of the state where you live.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

• Business skills

• Detail oriented

• Dexterity

• Math skills

• Physical strength/stamina

• Problem-solving skills

HOW DO I LEARN THE CRAFT?

A high school diploma is generally all that’s required to start a career in carpentry. High school courses in math, mechanical drawing and general technical training classes, such as wood shop, can be helpful starting points. Carpenters typically learn their craft on the job and through apprenticeships. Individual businesses, unions and contractor associations may sponsor apprenticeship programs, which can take two to four years to complete. Apprentices learn carpentry basics, blueprint reading, mathematics, building code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices.

Apprentice carpenters learn by working with more experienced co-workers and through classroom training. An apprentice typically begins doing simpler tasks, such as measuring and cutting wood, and works up to more complex jobs, such as reading blueprints and building structures.

There are also some community colleges that teach carpentry skills, which may or may not qualify as an apprenticeship.

All carpenters must pass the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10- and 30-hour safety courses.

WHAT DOES A CNC PROGRAMMER OR OPERATOR DO?

CNC stands for computer numerical control, and it refers to a category of machines used to precision-produce metal and plastic parts.

A CNC operator is a specially trained technician who sets up and operates these machines to cut, shape and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.

A CNC operator’s job also includes studying blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements. CNC operators conduct test runs of production equipment and make adjustments as necessary.

CNC machines work from special designs produced by computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) or computeraided design (CAD) systems. For this reason, CNC operators are sometimes cross-trained on CAD/CAM systems.

CNC programmers create the instructions for the computer to tell the machine what to do during the production process. In some cases, one employee performs both jobs.

WHAT’S NEW?

Computer-controlled equipment represents a quantum leap forward in the industry, as these machines are able to cut, mill or shape parts much faster and with far more accuracy than parts created by hand. The technology works in much the same way as the software that powers 3D printers in a lab.

CNC technology is a relatively recent invention and continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

Machines can form and shape a part from multiple angles at once. Some have the ability to flip the component over during the machining process.

CNC machines perform fully automated cuts or drill multiple holes with tremendous precision.

WHERE DO CNC OPERATORS WORK?

Most CNC operators today work in jobs in manufacturing facilities producing fabricated metal products, plastics and rubber products, transportation equipment, primary metal and machinery.

CNC is a cornerstone technology of advanced manufacturing, which is a much cleaner and safer form of

This article is from:

BluePrint 2023

by Arkansas Times