Precision Machining


Precision Machining


A purposeful American career— machinists are respected, capable and well-paid. Virtually everything manufactured in the U.S. today—in the automotive, space, medical, green, or any other industry—can be traced back to the work of a machinist. As a result, there is a constant and unmet need for these "Surgeons of Steel" in American manufacturing.

As a student of our 18 month Precision Machining program, you'll learn the working properties of metals, and how to use both manual and computer-controlled methods to make machined products. To give you the maximum experience-edge, we focus on practical, project-based learning, as well as plenty of close interaction with live industry.

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines are now used in most machinist shops and high-tech production facilities. To be on top of the hiring game, as well as qualify for better pay and a specialized job-title, machinists must be able to program and monitor the work of a fully automated machine. You'll be impressed by LATI's state-of-the-art precision machining lab and equipment—featuring 23 CNC machines.

Machinists make America! Let us help you start your journey towards a life-changing career!

Technicians in this field earn a median hourly wage of $17.41 or average yearly income of $36,213. - US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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  • problem solving
  • building things
  • purposeful tasks
  • being accurate
  • taking things apart
  • reading blueprints
  • hands-on activity
  • computers

 

Then you could be a Precision Machinist!

    On national average, a machinist with 6 to 12 months of training can start at $12 to $14 per hour, and with 10 hours/week overtime can make $34 to 40K per year, with a peak of about $20 per hour, $57K per year. 12 to 14 months of extra training could produce a CNC Machinist earing $16 to $18 per hour, making $46 to $51K, with a peak of about $28 per hour, or $77 per year. Still another 12 to 14 months of training could produce a Tool & Die maker earning $20 per hour, making $57K peaking at $30+ per hour, and making over $86K per year.

    Data Collected from the National Tooling & Machining Association.

Successful Graduates

"I am currently employed by Scherer Design and Engineering in Tea, SD, as the lead machinist, and have many duties such as programing, reverse engineering parts, and operating many different CNC machines. The instructors at LATI not only provided an excellent education—they gave me that extra push for me to be successful in my trade. THANKS LATI!!!'"
Levi Schmid
Lead Machinist
Scherer Design and Engineering

"LATI and the Precision Machining program gave me a very broad education—covering multiple aspects of the machining process. I am currently employed at Applied Engineering (Yankton) as a CNC programmer in training. When asked by my employer what I would have liked to gain from my education that I didn't, I replied, 'I could not have asked for a better education and I feel I was very well prepared for my position.'"
Eric Kotalik
Employed at Applied Engineering
Yankton, SD