The Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Association is pleased to provide the Related Instruction portion for Pennsylvania’s manufacturing apprenticeship program. Each year, we accept approximately 50 new apprentices into the four-year Machinist training program. New for 2026, we are offering a one-year CNC Operator 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 programs, apprentices who would like to earn their journeyman’s papers must also be registered with his or her employer’s qualified Pennsylvania apprenticeship program for on-the-job training.
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. In the Machinist Apprenticeship program, 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, Butler, Cambria, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties.
2026-2027 Machinist Apprenticeship Training Start Dates
- BotsIQ Training & Education Center (Bellevue)
- Years 1 & 4 – Tuesday, September 8th at 5:30PM
- Years 2 & 3 – Thursday, September 10th at 5:30PM
- Butler AVTS (Butler)
- Year 1 & 2 ONLY – Thursday, September 10th at 5:30PM
- Central Westmoreland CTC (New Stanton)
- Years 1 & 2 – Tuesday, September 8th at 5:30PM
- Years 3 & 4 – Thursday, September 10th at 5:30PM
- Greater Johnstown CTC (Johnstown)
- Year 1 ONLY – Tuesday, September 8th at 5:30PM
- Northern Westmoreland CTC (New Kensington)
- All years – Wednesday, September 9th at 5:30PM
- Somerset CTC (Somerset)
- Year 1 ONLY – Saturday, September 12th at 8:00AM
2026-2027 CNC Operator Apprenticeship Training Start Dates
- Eastern Westmoreland CTC (Latrobe)
- CNC Operator – Tuesday, September 8th at 5:00PM
- Northern Westmoreland CTC (New Kensington)
- CNC Operator – Wednesday, September 9th at 5:30PM
Questions regarding your state registered apprentice program or about RAPIDS? Please contact Marshall Palmer – Marpalmer@pa.gov and include your program number in the subject line of the email.
General questions regarding registered apprenticeship? Contact the state’s resource account at Apprenticeship@pa.gov.
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 – blashock@pghntma.org, (412) 212-6868, or (412) 443-0793 or Rosa Hoffman, Apprenticeship Program Coordinator – hoffman@pghntma.org, (412) 212-6868.
Training dollars are available to subsidize the cost of manufacturing apprenticeship program classes!
Questions about WEDnetPA? Contact Judy DeWitt at dewittju@westmoreland.edu
Pittsburgh Chapter NTMA Apprentice Training Program is a program of the Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
2026-2027 Class Enrollment is open: July 17 – August 24
Register online here!
For printable registration forms, click one of the links below:
Advanced placement opportunities are available:
- Wednesday, August 26th at 5:30 PM at Northern Westmoreland CTC
- Thursday, August 27th at 5:30 PM at Central Westmoreland CTC
- Tuesday, September 1st at 5:30 PM at the BotsIQ TEC
- Tuesday, September 1st at 5:00 PM Greater Johnstown CTC
- Thursday, September 3rd at 5:30 PM Butler County AVTS
Register for advanced placement online here!
Train the Workforce of Tomorrow
Watch how the NTMA Apprenticeship Program supports employers and apprentices by building a pipeline of highly trained machinists through a proven blend of classroom learning and on-the-job training.
Interested in seeing our apprentice program in action?
Come check out our annual Apprentice Competition in January 2027, when our apprentices battle for the title of the Best Metalworking Apprentice in Southwestern, PA! Contact Liz Blashock (blashock@pghntma.org) for more information.
