Mississippi's Machining Technology pathway prepares students for careers in precision manufacturing and metalworking. Students develop proficiency with CNC machines, manual lathes, and milling equipment while mastering technical drawings, tool selection, and quality control processes. This pathway addresses critical workforce gaps in the state's manufacturing sector, which employs over 4,200 workers across precision industries.
Hands-on training combines classroom instruction with practical experience in state-of-the-art machine shops. Students learn tolerance specifications, material properties, and production scheduling that align with Mississippi's advanced manufacturing standards. The curriculum emphasizes safety protocols and industry best practices used by manufacturers throughout the state.
Graduates transition directly into manufacturing roles or continue technical education through community college programs. Many employers in Mississippi's Central and Northern regions actively recruit pathway completers for entry-level machining positions with career advancement opportunities to master machinist or supervisory roles.
Machining Technology at a Glance
2
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Mississippi CTE Standards for Machining Technology emphasize technical competency in blueprint reading, CAD applications, and machine operation within OSHA safety requirements. Students must demonstrate mastery of precision measurement, tool geometry, and production procedures aligned with the state's manufacturing framework established by the Mississippi Department of Education and Career Success.
The pathway integrates workplace readiness standards requiring students to develop problem-solving skills, teamwork capabilities, and technical communication. Industry partnerships throughout Mississippi ensure curriculum alignment with employer expectations for immediate job-ready competency in precision manufacturing environments.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Advanced Manufacturing - Year 1 |
| Precision Machining - Year 2 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓NOCTI Welding
- ✓OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
- ✓OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
- ✓Forklift Operator Certification
- ✓Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA)
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - Inventor
- ✓MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT)
- ✓MSSC Certified Logistics Associate (CLA)
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
CNC Machinist
Entry LevelSalary range: $40,300 - $61,340
Adjusted for cost of living: $46,168
Tool and Die Maker
ExperiencedSalary range: $39,540 - $60,980
Adjusted for cost of living: $59,835
Precision Inspection Technician
Entry LevelSalary range: $39,010 - $69,160
Adjusted for cost of living: $44,690
Manufacturing Supervisor
ExperiencedAdjusted for cost of living: $59,686
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students participate in work-based learning with manufacturers throughout Mississippi's industrial areas, including companies in Rankin, DeSoto, and Madison counties.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Mississippi CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Mississippi Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Mississippi's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Mississippi standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Mississippi
Industrial Maintenance
Mississippi's Industrial Maintenance pathway prepares technicians for high-demand positions maintaining complex manufacturing and facility systems. Students master mechanical principles, preventive maintenance practices, and troubleshooting methodologies while developing expertise in hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems. This pathway directly addresses critical workforce shortages in Mississippi's industrial maintenance sector. Curriculum emphasizes predictive and preventive maintenance strategies, safety protocols, and reliability principles that minimize downtime in manufacturing environments. Students gain hands-on experience with the variety of equipment found in Mississippi's factories and industrial facilities, from motors and pumps to complex automated systems. Graduates qualify for immediate employment with competitive wages at manufacturing facilities, utilities, and industrial plants throughout Mississippi. The pathway offers excellent earning potential and advancement toward supervisory or engineering technician roles.
Advanced ManufacturingPrecision Manufacturing and Machining
Mississippi's Precision Manufacturing and Machining pathway prepares students for high-demand careers in the state's growing advanced manufacturing sector, supporting major employers including Toyota, Nissan, GE Aviation, and Ingalls Shipbuilding. Mississippi's strategic automotive and aerospace industry clusters create exceptional demand for skilled machinists and manufacturing technicians. Students learn precision measurement, computer-controlled machining (CNC), manufacturing processes, quality control, and automation systems through hands-on training with industry-standard equipment. The pathway emphasizes precision, safety, and efficiency essential for producing components meeting strict aerospace and automotive quality standards. Mississippi's Precision Manufacturing programs partner with the state's major manufacturers for equipment donations, technical expertise, and work-based learning opportunities. Students earn NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) and MSSC (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council) credentials recognized throughout Mississippi's manufacturing industry.
ManufacturingWelding Technology
Mississippi's Welding Technology pathway addresses critical skilled trades shortages in shipbuilding, manufacturing, industrial construction, and pipeline work throughout the state. With Ingalls Shipbuilding, steel fabrication facilities, and manufacturing plants creating continuous demand, Mississippi offers excellent opportunities for certified welders capable of precision welding for diverse industrial applications. Students receive comprehensive training in SMAW (Stick), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), and FCAW (Flux-Core) welding processes along with pipe welding, blueprint reading, and metallurgy. The pathway emphasizes safety, quality, and precision required for structural welding, shipyard fabrication, and industrial manufacturing. Mississippi's Welding Technology programs incorporate NCCER welding credentials and AWS (American Welding Society) certification preparation. Students gain extensive hands-on experience in well-equipped welding laboratories while building skills highly valued by Ingalls Shipbuilding, manufacturers, and fabrication shops statewide.
ManufacturingReady to Build Machining Technology Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Machining Technology in Mississippi.