The Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Association is pleased to provide the Related Instruction portion for Pennsylvania manufacturing apprenticeship programs. Apprentices can be employed as machinists, mold makers, tool and die makers, carbide performers, press technicians and grinders, tool and die designers, CNC programmers, CNC operators, or CNC machinists.
Each year, we accept approximately 50 new apprentices into the four-year training program. Apprentices complete 144 hours of classroom training and 2000 hours of hands-on application at his or her job site annually. While the instruction is open to anyone who would like to register for the program, apprentices who would like to earn their Journeyperson certification must also be registered with his or her employer’s qualified Pennsylvania apprenticeship program for on-the-job training (OJT). If your company does not have a registered program, please contact Liz Blashock at [email protected] to learn more about the Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA’s Group Sponsored Program.
Since 1976, the Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA has provided regional manufacturers with a proven apprenticeship training program for individuals seeking metalworking educational opportunities with standards focused on world-class tooling and machining.
What are the Benefits of the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program?
- Apprentices typically earn pay-for-skills promotions during their apprenticeship training. Entry-level apprentices earn between $32,000 and $63,000 in wages and benefits in their first year of training. Apprentices who have completed the program typically earn between $52,000 and $79,000 annually.
- The Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA offers the training component to complement the on-the-job training necessary to achieve Journeyperson certification. Apprentices can also earn NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) credentials in specialty areas.
- The Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA Apprenticeship program is an affordable solution for both employers and students. Companies can combine the NTMA Apprenticeship program with structured OJT hours and avoid the cost and time of managing self-run apprenticeship instruction courses.
- Many of our students are sponsored by their companies. Special financing opportunities are available for students paying for the manufacturing apprenticeship program out of their own pocket, including those who have been laid-off.
- Classes are offered at convenient locations in Allegheny and Westmoreland County.
- Central Westmoreland CTC (New Stanton)
- Northern Westmoreland CTC (New Kensington)
- BotsIQ Training & Education Center (Bellevue/Pittsburgh)
Questions regarding your state registered apprentice program or about RAPIDS? Please contact Marshall Palmer – [email protected] and include your program number in the subject line of the email.
General questions regarding registered apprenticeship? Contact the state’s resource account at [email protected].
Don’t have a registered program and want to learn more about the Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA’s Group Sponsored Program? Contact Liz Blashock, Apprenticeship Program Manager – [email protected], (412) 212-6868, or (412) 443-0793
Training dollars are available to subsidize the cost of manufacturing apprenticeship program classes!
Questions about WEDnetPA? Contact Judy DeWitt at [email protected]
Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA Apprentice Training Program is a program of the Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
Fast Track 2025 Registration is now OPEN!
Have a machinist apprentice ready to start their apprenticeship classroom training? Have an employee who needs some entry-level machinist theory training? Enroll them in our FAST TRACK training program!
3 classes, all held at Central Westmoreland CTC – New Stanton, PA
- Intro to Math for Machinists: Every Thursday from January 30 to May 29 | 5:30PM to 7:30PM
- Intro to Blueprint Reading: Every Thursday from January 30 to May 29 | 7:30PM to 9:30PM
- Intro to Technology of Machine Tools: Every Tuesday from February 4 to June 3 | 5:30PM to 9:30PM
Whether you’re looking to fast track train your Year 1 apprentices or for standalone courses for your entry level employees* these courses may fit your needs!
*Courses are open to those not formally enrolled in an apprenticeship program.
Fast Track 2025 Tuition Fees Only offered January – June:
- All of Year 1 – NTMA Member = $1,850; Non-Member =$2,300
- Math ONLY – Member = $460; Non-Member = $575
- Blueprint ONLY – Member = $460; Non-Member = $575
- TMT ONLY – Member= $930; Non-Member = $1,150
Registration Deadline – January 27
Link to Register – https://form.jotform.com/243434306567155
Interested in seeing our apprentice program in action?
Come check out our annual Apprentice Competition in January 2025, when our apprentices battle for the title of Best Metalworking Apprentice in Southwestern PA!
Contact Liz Blashock ([email protected]) for more information.
