1.2 What Do We Call Ourselves?

You would think a person who operates a machine all day would be called a “machiner,” but that is not the case. The skilled workers who operate the lathes, mills, and printers of today are called machinists. There are distinct levels of skill and qualifications among machinists because the machining industry is so vast.

There are companies that specialize in the use of manual machines, and there are those that use only Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. As you may expect, these companies require machinists to have different skill sets to perform their job functions.

As a rule, there are three levels of machinists:

Level I is the entry level and operates under the direct supervision of another operator and shop lead. This is where you can expect to start in your first machining job. Being new to the industry requires time for you to understand how your specific company does things. All shops are different, and they all have a learning curve that you will have to negotiate.

Level II is the first level supervisor who operates under the direct supervision of the shop lead to complete assigned work and train level I personnel. Over time, you will advance to this level as you complete more difficult tasks and understand how your company does things.

Level III operates under the general supervision of the shop lead but performs tasks as they deem necessary and does not need direct supervision while performing tasks. If you want to solve problems on your own and help improve the processes in your shop, this is where you want to be. If you work hard, learn all you can, and take on new challenges, you may reach this goal in about 3-5 years.