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.
Precision Manufacturing and Machining at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Mississippi's Precision Manufacturing pathway follows state CTE curriculum frameworks incorporating NIMS and MSSC competencies. Programs prepare students for industry certifications and Mississippi's end-of-program assessments while aligning with manufacturing industry workforce needs identified through advisory committees.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Introduction to Manufacturing |
| Precision Machining Fundamentals |
| CNC Manufacturing Technology |
| Advanced Manufacturing Applications |
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
ExperiencedSalary range: $40,300 - $61,340
Adjusted for cost of living: $57,807
Manufacturing Technician
ExperiencedAdjusted for cost of living: $54,989
Quality Control Inspector
ExperiencedSalary range: $33,520 - $49,070
Adjusted for cost of living: $45,343
Production Supervisor
ExperiencedSalary range: $49,690 - $83,110
Adjusted for cost of living: $73,903
Production Operator
Entry LevelSalary range: $49,690 - $83,110
Adjusted for cost of living: $56,925
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students participate in cooperative education and apprenticeships with Toyota, Nissan, GE Aviation, Ingalls Shipbuilding, and regional manufacturers throughout Mississippi. Work-based learning includes summer internships, job shadowing, and structured training programs often leading to full-time employment.
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
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Mississippi Standards Built In
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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 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.
ManufacturingRelated Glossary Terms
Standards Alignment
Standards alignment in CTE refers to the process of ensuring that curriculum, instruction, and assessments directly connect to and address state-adopted CTE standards, academic standards, and industry-recognized competencies. Proper alignment ensures students develop the specific knowledge and skills their state requires for career readiness.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
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