NJ Pathways Project Highlight: Machine Tool Technology
Center of Workforce Innovation for Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management
The pathways project for the Machine Tool Technology certificate program at Sussex County Community College (SCCC) expanded upon an existing one-year certificate program, providing students with the opportunity to gain broader knowledge and a higher skill level in machining. Students developed advanced skills in planning, designing, producing CAD prints, and setting up and operating machine tools to produce precision parts. Training included programming, setting up, and operating Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) turning and machining centers. The program also integrated a general education component to meet workforce demands. Upon completion, students acquired the necessary skills to pursue careers as entry-level machinists or CNC technicians.
In Summer and Fall 2023, SCCC worked to refine its existing Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process for the assessment of industry-valued credentials for credit. This enhancement expanded the college’s PLA process to allow for greater transferability. While the nature of manufacturing evidence for PLA review is often proprietary, limiting available documentation, the new process is now available to support this effort.
In Spring and Summer 2024, SCCC launched a series of high school workshops aimed at enhancing pathways into manufacturing. Each workshop concluded with students earning an industry-recognized credential from Tormach, a leader in manufacturing and CNC machining. This certification was transferable to SCCC as a three-credit elective in the one-year Machine Tool Technology Certificate program.
In June 2024, SCCC hosted a two-day professional development workshop for high school staff to support concurrent Machine Tool Technology course offerings. Local high schools from the tri-state area attended the event at which SCCC established concurrent course offerings with designated high school partners. A collaborative effort helped match high school STEM curricula with SCCC course outcomes and refine the curriculum for better alignment.
SCCC plans to offer Machine Tool Technology I (MCHT) in Fall 2025, which had the greatest potential to align with current high school partners’ STEM and robotics programs. High Point Regional High School was set to offer this course to their senior students.
