Los Alamos National Laboratory and Santa Fe Community College announce new program for machinists

Training prepares local students for high-wage jobs with opportunities for internships and potential employment

April 16, 2020

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Machinists use computers, lathes, milling machines, and grinders to produce metal parts. They are in demand at the Laboratory, in New Mexico, and nationwide.

LOS ALAMOS, N.M., April 16, 2020—Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Thom Mason and Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) President Becky Rowley announce a collaboration creating a new training program for machinists.

“The Laboratory is pleased to work with partners like SFCC to help bring good-paying, technical job opportunities to workers in our local area,” said Director Thom Mason. “Building the regional workforce benefits both Northern New Mexico and the Laboratory and is one of the concrete ways that we support the people in our communities.”

“The college is very excited to move forward with this collaboration with the Laboratory,” said President Becky Rowley. “We’re glad to respond to the growing demand at the Lab for skilled machinists. This program will offer SFCC students a path to high-paying jobs in the region.”

The 41-credit-hour program trains students to be precision machinists, who use computers, lathes, milling machines, and grinders to produce metal parts. Precision machinists often produce small batches of parts or one-of-a-kind items. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that in New Mexico and nationwide, machinist jobs will be in high demand over the next eight years. Salaries for Lab machinists range from $56,000–$80,000 per year. The training program begins with the Fall 2020 semester. Students will be reimbursed for tuition, fees, and books.

“This a hands-on STEM program,” said Associate Dean Colleen Lynch. “It would be a good fit for students who like to solve practical problems, can read plans and diagrams, are good at visualizing in 3-D, and are both creative and precise. It requires students who are ready for intermediate or college algebra, who like using tools and computers, and who like to understand how things work.”

Prospective students should contact either instructor Miguel Maestas (miguel.maestas@sfcc.edu) or Associate Dean Colleen Lynch (colleen.lynch@sfcc.edu) for more information. Eligible students will be notified this summer if they are selected for the program.

About Santa Fe Community College
For more than 35 years, Santa Fe Community College has been the gateway to success for individuals and the community by providing affordable, high quality educational programs that serve the social, cultural, technological, and economic needs of a diverse community. SFCC is designated a 2019 ”Best for Vets” and a “2015 Military Friendly” school. The college serves more than 15,000 students per year in its credit, noncredit and adult programs. For further information, visit sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1000. Follow us: SFCC on FacebookSFCC on TwitterSFCC on LinkedIn.

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is managed by Triad, a public service oriented, national security science organization equally owned by its three founding members: Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle), the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), and the Regents of the University of California (UC) for the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.

Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

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