Without an increased supply of highly trained manufacturing professionals, North America will increasingly be an importer of manufactured products, manufacturing will suffer and your student populations and our sales of EDM's will rapidly decline.

Here is the contact information for the state apprenticeship agencies.

Here is a list of toolmaking/machining associations you can contact for more information about training, education, and more

This handy glossary of milling terms will help you better understand the technology and learn what to look for when purchasing a milling machine.

A 2005 survey reported that 81 percent of respondents were experiencing a shortage of qualified workers, a gap that threatens to widen as baby boomers head for retirement. Here's what some Illinois businesses are doing about it.

Why is a career in toolmaking or machining technologies the right choice for students, community and country? How does a toolmaking career compare to other types of careers? Where can you get more information?

An August 19, 2008 article in The Wall Street Journal, titled “Skilled Trades Seeks Workers” has this to say about the shortage of manufacturing workers and what Mike Rowe is doing to help.

An August 6, 2008 article in IT Business Edge talks about losing manufacturing jobs to China.

The trend to use EDM for parts production has several causes: The EDM cutting process has improved dramatically with higher speeds; Automation has significantly cutting labor content; and it's now possible to man one shift and cut on three.

Here's what the Bureau of Labor Statistics says about machinist training, qualifications, and advancement.

What's the Job Outlook for machinists?

What can machinists expect to earn?

Find out what the Bureau of Labor Statistics has to say about job opportunities in machining.

Looking to recruit workers? Try this economical and effective idea: run joint "help wanted" ads in the local paper with a local college (and possibly other local companies).

Looking to recruit workers? Consider an apprenticeship program. Here's one example: Apprenticeship 2000

Looking to recruit workers? Here's a great idea: run "case history" ads in your local paper.

Looking to recruit workers? Consider an apprenticeship program. Here's one example: M.O.S.T (Machine Operator Skills Training)