Why is it getting so hard to find a great cnc programmer?

[jimreed]

I am an engineering recruiter in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:State><st1lace>Oklahoma</st1lace></st1:State> and I can not believe how hard it has became to find a good cnc programmer. I have a company that is willing to pay up to $80,000 a year and I just cant find a person for the job. I know programmers were underpaid and under appreciated for many years but at least in the <st1:State><st1lace>Oklahoma</st1lace></st1:State> area that is changing. I specialize in cnc programming placement and am drowsing in jobs. If you are a programmer or know of a good one looking for a job email me at jimreed@rayrechrecruiting.com or call me at 918/665-8686

[cdlenterprises]

What type of work do they do?

[Ken_Shea]

Jim.
Here is my take on the difficulty in finding good CNC programmers.

It is like many vocations, the really good ones are already employed and unless you happen to hit on one in transition they are just not available.

Maybe some form of apprenticeship program could be developed, however, these can be time consuming and also have their own bite you in the butt problems as well.

[Runner4404spd]

I think thats the main point and its the same with every profession, all the good ones already have jobs and unless these companies want to start offering significant money and bonuses it will be hard to pull people away from their currently stable job.

you have to understand that with any move, there is a level of uncertainty about the new company about the employees, etc. you have to make it worth someones while to actually leave their good job.

[psychomill]

I think Ken and Runner's comments are only a part of it. For a career, CNC programming is still "blue collar". The basis of it starts from with/on machines. Industrial. Many high schools no longer support industrial arts of any type. This includes machining, welding, auto shop, wood shop, electronics, etc. Starting from around the '90s, the emphasis shifted to "High Tech behind a desk" so to speak. Computer related futures like hardware/software engineering, business management, telecommunications, software development, etc. Sciences and the like. Career wise, the "Industrial Revolution" is over.
Back in the day, it was always easy (relatively) to find a good programmer. It was only tougher to find the "better" ones. Now, you can't find any good programmers much less the "better" ones. I've hired many programmers who lacked any notable talent. Glorified operators at best. All of the ended up fired for basically false representation IMO.
Some of the trade schools and junior colleges saw this gap and began offering CNC programming courses. In many cases that is crap too. Most of these guys lacked any real experiences and quite a few of them have never even cranked a handle or pushed a button.
Entry level programmers are easier to find. The problem is, with today's global economy and market, most shops need someone with a solid background and knowledge. Since the public school systems won't support the industrial arts, declining ratio of pay to cost of living, and many other reasons, the "glory" of being a top machinist/programmer doesn't even cross the young minds of today. Therefore, as the seasoned workers retire or leave the field, there isn't anyone to replace them with.

And this is just another view of the circumstance. There are other reasons as well.

[Independent CNC]

I will offer up my CNC services on a part time basis to help any company program even in the short term. Sorry I like my daytime job and can only share my talent part time.

My specialty is sheet metal and I the up most confidence that I could help any company that works with this type of equipment, even setting up a junior programmer. You can visit my home page for more information.

Please do keep me in mind if I can help any of your client’s long term or short term.

Sincerely
Independent CNC Programmer
www.ctcn,net/~3kings/

[WITOMCIO]

Most of the good programmers were sick and tired of being used by their companies, so they started their own business.
Say, the guy saves you 100 hours of machining (he is so good).Do you give him a bonus?
I don't think so.
It's common knowledge what is today's machining rate .
The only advise I would give, is to vend out programming or train somebody.
The best programmers are guys who were running machines first and they don't exactly care for college education.
Employing experienced machinist with the purpose of training him to become programmer could be the best option for the company.
There is much more to programming then just drawing in CAM system.
I was a programmer once.80k is good, but not good enough.

[thkoutsidthebox]

Originally Posted by Independent CNC You can visit my home page for more information. www.ctcn,net/~3kings/

Its not loading.

[jimreed]

This is true. I think some of the companies that are coming up short right now are wishing they had treated the programmers the HAD right, but that is then and this is now. They are beginning to bet better at the benefits and the pay has gotten much better. GOOD THINGS TO COME FOR THOSE WILLING TO MAKE A MOVE.

[WITOMCIO]

Jim,
Here is for right here, right now.
I think you should advertise in New England. Offer good salary , pay relocation etc.
Programmers I know of make 50-60K.Don't know details of the job you want to fill.
In here we have quite a pool of skilled people, who just don't know there are good jobs out there. With cost of living around here, some guys could consider moving.I don't know the cost of living in Oklahoma,but I think Connecticut is more expensive.

[jimreed]

The cost of living here is very cheep, I have a friend who moved here from the East coast and he said he is making the same amount of money but he is putting almost $2,000 a month more in the bank here than he awas there. That kinda adds up fast.

[jackson]

Hey Jim,
I'm a programmer,shop mananer,and have to keep up with my invetory and Quots i dont know of any shop in the Tulsa area that pays that well. But i know what your talking about i have 4 guys that work for me in my department only o two can do a set up and only one can read a program i have been just trying to find a guy that can do both and give a sh*t about his quality of work and productoin.