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If you’d like to learn more about the Machine Tool Operation program, we’d love to talk with you.
We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step.
Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
Financial Aid Available
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Program Overview
As a Machine Tool Operations student, you will:
- Be introduced to Computer Numerical Control (CNC), Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM).
- Acquire skills in basic machining such as milling, manual lathes, and drill presses.
- Learn blueprint reading, measurement, quality control, precision and repair machining.
- Gain knowledge and skills necessary to build and inspect machined parts.
- Get hands-on training in a high-tech work environment.
- Problem solve, team work, math, communication, and computers.
- Prepares students for employment in the machining and metalworking industries.
- Build skills needed to become a skilled craftsman.
Program Details
Students in the Machine Tool Operations program can attend full- or part-time.
Machine Tool Operations classes are offered at our Madison Truax campus.
Careers
Earning your One-Year Technical Diploma in Machine Tool Operations program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work in:
- Machine Operator
- Repair/Precision Machinist
- CNC Machinist
- Machine Repair Specialist
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Journey-level Tool and Die Maker
- Journey-level Mold Maker
- Journey-level Millwright
- Shop Owner
- Shop Manager
- Industrial Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Industrial Sales Engineer
- Die and/or Mold Designer
- Educator
- Tool and Die Apprentice
- Mold Making Apprentice
- Millwright Apprentice
- CNC Programmer
Get training for high demand jobs, attractive pay and advancement opportunities.
- Entry level metalworkers can average $30,000-$45,000 with a two-year diploma.
- Precision machining can lead to an engineering or business degree.
- Experienced precision metalworkers earn from $40,000 to $75,000 annually.
- Advancement Opportunities to Manager, Teacher, Shop Owner.
- Ford Motor Co., Cadillac Motor Co., Brown & Sharpe, and Fairbanks Morse were all started by machinists.
Video
Hear from our students and instructors.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
First SemesterSecond SemesterGet hands-on learning from day one on high-tech equipment.
Watch the video to learn more.
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Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2026
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
- Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
- Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Machine Tool Operation career.
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Career Outcomes
Madison College Machine Tool Operations program graduates are prepared to:
- Apply basic safety practices in the machine shop
- Interpret industrial/engineering drawings
- Apply precision measuring methods to part inspection
- Perform basic machine tool equipment set-up and operation
- Perform programming, set-up and operation of CNC Machine Tools
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 7 5 9 Number of Surveys Sent 7 4 9 Number of Surveys Returned 7 4 6 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 1 1 1 Percent Available for Employment 14.3% 25.0% 16.7% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 85.7% 75.0% 83.3% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 1 1 1 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 1 0 1 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 0.0% 100.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 1 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 4 3.3 4 Number of Satisfaction Responses 1 3 1 Very Satisfied (4) 1 1 1 Percent Very Satisfied 100.0% 33.3% 100.0% Satisfied (3) 0 2 0 Percent Satisfied 0.0% 66.7% 0.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 7 4 6 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 1 1 1 Before Enrollment 1 1 1 Percent Before Enrollment 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% While Attending the College 0 0 0 Percent While Attending the College 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% After Training at the College 0 0 0 Percent After Training at the College 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 1 1 1 In College District 1 1 1 Percent In College District 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 1 Average Monthly Wage $3,268 Average Hourly Wage $19.00 Average Work Hours per Week 40.0 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 Average Hourly Wage $24.00 Average Work Hours per Week 30.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Plastic Ingenuity Inc Machinist/Moldmaker Cross Plains * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
