Need help here in Las Vegas, Nevada

[Pklef]

Hi, i'm new the forums and I have a major interest in CNC Programming/operator, but have no experience. There are companies and machine shops here in Vegas, but everyone wants 5 yrs or more experience. I'm interested in some sort of apprenticeship or mentoring or schooling. I'm messing around with Solidworks and got as far as 2D drawing in SURFCam v5 demo. Unfortunately, the school here in vegas, don't offer anything in CNC. If there is anyone out there that could help or any advice, I would appreciate it very much. Thanks so much.

[sld4121]

First, are you really tied to Vegas or do you want to be? If you are, determine what software and machines your local companies use and look for a school that offers that training - software especially. You may need to step outside of Vegas for that. Many schools have advisory boards to get information and input from the local machine shops, distributors etc. to fashion career courses and paths that tie into local businesses. The idea is that they would be trained sufficiently to be hired out of school. If you have local businesses with such ties start there.
Outside of that, I would expect a programmer to have several years of experience before I hire them. I expect them to be machinists that understand metal removal otherwise, they most certainly would not command higher wages.
Of course the larger problem is if you train someone, they have a habit of being for sale to the highest bidder, making it very undesirable to have any apprenticeship programs these days.

[Pklef]

Unfortunately I live here and do not have the means to move elsewhere. I'm originally from New York and 99% of manufacturing is in the Northeast. I downloaded a demo version of Surfcam, but to actually verify tool path for say 2 - 5 axis would require me to purchase the full software and Surfcams price ranges from $2,000.00 for 2-axis up $16,000.00 for 5-axis. I'm limited to the demo version and since Vegas is not much of a manufacturing town, there isn't a school here that teaches CNC. I'm also teaching myself Solidworks as well. I have the student 2008 version. I'm trying to get my foot in the door to learn the trade. All machine shops here want experience. So I do I get experience if I'm not hired? It's been frustrating to say the least. Thanks for responding to my post. Appreciate the advise.

[walleballr]

Haas offers free programing/operator classes out of their Pheonix office. Hope this helps.

[scottd]

Haas offers free programing/operator classes out of their Pheonix office. Hope this helps.

It doesn't say that on their web site, under training and education. It does show one in Tucson, thats 2 hours+ away from Phoenix. I'm 15 minutes away from their Tempe office. Guess I'll make a call tomorrow, web site might not be up to date??? We do have couple of chioces here in Phoenix.

[walleballr]

I was told this by the service tech that installed our new machine. Its only a 3 day crash course but its a good start.

[scottd]

I was told this by the service tech that installed our new machine. Its only a 3 day crash course but its a good start.

I called them today. Oh yea they will train you. ONLY if you BUY a machine. 30k for a low buck machine and you will still need a school.