NIMS Revises National Guideline Standards for 21st Century Apprenticeship

Adds CNC Machinist, Tool & Die Maker, Mold Maker, CNC Operator & Press Set-Up Operator

The NIMS Expert Panel has finalized the competencies that will be at the heart of the National Guidelines for Apprentice Standards for NIMS Competency-Based Apprenticeship in six occupations including Machinist, CNC Machinist, Tool and Die Maker, Mold  Maker, CNC Operator and Press Set-Up Operator.   The revisions to the current NIMS Guideline Standards will be submitted to the Office of Apprenticeship for certification.

Following the Office of Apprenticeship certification, NIMS will implement the new apprenticeships on a national basis and has been preparing the Precision Manufacturing Industry for the roll-out of the new standards in the third quarter of 2011.

The Expert Panel work follows months of highly disciplined deliberation by five NIMS Technical Workgroups comprised of subject matter experts from precision manufacturing companies. The workgroups completed a job task analysis for each occupation, reviewing and reaching consensus in ranking detailed duties and task statements for each metalworking occupation.

In reviewing existing registered apprentice occupations and creating new ones for its National Guideline Standards, NIMS is being supported with funding from the Office of Apprenticeship, Employment and Training administration, U. S. Department of Labor.

The members of the NIMS Expert Panel are Sherrie Williams (Boeing), Greg Chambers (Oberg Industries, NIMS Board Chair), Roy Sweatman (Southern Manufacturing Technologies), Kenneth L. Heins (KLH Industries), Robert H. Laudeman (United States Department of Labor), Bob Skodzinsky (Haas Technical Education Center Network), Daniel Kiraly (Tooling and Manufacturing Association),  Ron Kreuger (Eaton Hydraulics), and James Wall (NIMS),