The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) is now offering standardized Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) credentials, CAM Milling and Turning. “The CAM field continues to grow and is expected to create almost 100,000 new programmer, designer, and engineer jobs by 2024,” said NIMS Executive Director Montez King. “It is imperative that people entering the field are properly trained and capable, and these credentials show a potential employer that applicants are ready to program CNC machine tools. Further, employees already on the job may wish to secure an official, portable, industry-recognized certification.” 

The new credentials are based on standards developed in partnership with and sponsored by Autodesk, a leader in 3D design and engineering software. Over 125 subject matter experts from organizations such as CNC Software, developer of Mastercam; Barefoot CNC; Arkansas State University Mid-South; CamInstructor, and custom machining technology leader, Rosenburger of North America, volunteered their insight during the rigorous development and piloting process of the standards. 

Throughout the development process, field experts, within their technical work groups, identified the skills expected for entry-level CAM positions. As a result, these standards now define necessary competencies associated with job preparation, modeling, toolpath generation, documentation, written oral communication, machining mathematics, decision making and problem solving, social skills and personal qualities, engineering drawings and sketches, computer operations, and technologies.

“CAM is the first set of NIMS credentials to use our new Performance Measure (PM) Development Requirements for the hands-on component of the credential,” said King. “The new model will allow schools and employers to customize their credentialing experience by using their own projects to validate performance for NIMS credentials as long as they meet the minimum NIMS requirements.”

Manufacturing companies are expected to benefit greatly by having properly trained CAM programmers, designers, and engineers. As cycle times decline, material waste and machining errors decrease, and the quality of parts increases with more capable personnel. It is predicted that individuals trained according to these standards will be in high demand in coming years.