CNC Machine Operator
Certificate
CNC Machine Operators are an important part of the manufacturing industry. These individuals interpret blueprints and operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools to produce parts and materials used in manufacturing.
700
Scholarships available – and one might have your name on it
Graduates earn industry-recognized credentials (NIMS) on their way to obtaining a living wage in a local industry. In the greater Peoria region, the average salary for a CNC machine operator is $45,177 per year.
Admissions Office
The CNC Machine Operator program is a one-semester program that prepares students for employment after completion.
Learn alongside students who have similar interests and career goals.
CNC Tool Operator, CNC Tool Programmer, Machinist, Rolling Machine Operator, Lathe and Turning Machine Setter, Millwright
COMPLETION TIME
6 Months
if Full Time
1 Semester12 Total Credit Hours
What if I attend part-time?
Our Student Success Advisors help with an academic plan that works for you.
ESTIMATED COST
$1,920
+ supplies & fees
Based on 2024-25
What financial assistance can I receive?
Find the plan right for you by connecting with our Financial Aid office.
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
8 Students
average per class
Small class sizes mean more individual attention and a higher rate of success.
View the College Catalog to see a complete list of classes for this program.
Meet Our Students and Alumni
In as little as four months, successful students will receive the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform the tasks of an entry-level machine operator.
Tim Poelker, Assistant Professor, Agriculture & Industrial Technology
How Do I Get Into the CNC Machine Operator Program?
Use your skills as a detail-oriented person in the precision career of a CNC Machine Operator. Learn skills that will make you employable. Talk to an Admissions representative to learn how to get started.
- Complete our quick admissions application. It’s free and easy!
- Apply for financial aid (FAFSA).
- Apply for ICC Scholarships. Just 1 application for over 700 scholarships.
- Computer, keyboarding, algebra and geometry are helpful classes to take in preparation for the program.
- Mechanical skills, along with physical strength and stamina, are beneficial for the program.
What Can I Expect As a CNC Machine Operator Student?
- Fast-paced program to upgrade skills to perform the duties of a CNC Operator.
- Gene Hass Foundation provides scholarships to ICC students pursuing programs in the machine trades.
- Job opportunities with local companies such as Caterpillar, Morton Industries, and Parsons are available for students who successfully complete the Certificate program.
- Earn industry-recognized credentials through NIMS.
Additional Opportunities
Workforce Equity Initiative
This initiative focuses on developing our area’s workforce by providing participants with a credential and a living wage. It addresses high demand-careers and targets low-income individuals, those living in high crime and high poverty areas, unemployed individuals and minorities.
How Am I Going to Manage This?
-
What if I am working while going to school?
We have you covered. Many of our students are working adults who balance life and school. We have great resources on campus to help keep you going!
-
What are my options for funding my education?
Do this first: fill out and file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Even if you don’t want federal aid, this document is used by many scholarship and grant programs to evaluate aid packages.
Look for scholarships and grants first because usually they don’t have to be paid back. The ICC Foundation sponsors some scholarships, and grants may be available from Illinois or federal programs. Other organizations also offer scholarships, and we can help you research those opportunities.
Federally guaranteed student loans can be a smart way to fund college. Think about your transfer plans and what your career looks like. Some sources recommend that you cap your borrowing at the level of what you (realistically!) can expect to earn at your first job after college. So, research careers and pay, too.
Of course, savings, jobs, and work-study are key parts of your budget. Your employer may offer tuition reimbursement. Find the tools to make a complete plan for paying for school.