Tuition-free night classes now available for Polk State’s Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Production Specialist Program

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

CNC Production Specialist

For those interested in completing Polk State College’s Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Production Specialist Program, finding the time has never been easier.

Thanks to funding from the Florida Job Growth Grant and Gene Haas Foundation, the program is now available in the evening – and at no cost. The part-time evening program begins October 19. Classes will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at the Polk State Clear Spring Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Bartow. The part-time program will take approximately one year to complete.

The traditional daytime program, which runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the ATC, is enrolling for its next cohort which will start on January 6 and take approximately five months to complete. This option is also available at no cost to eligible participants.

Now with daytime and nighttime options, the CNC Production Specialist Program makes it easier than ever for working adults, parents, and others with busy schedules to gain the skills they need for a career in advanced manufacturing. Students receive immersive, hands-on training using two-axis CNC lathes, three-axis mills, grinders, metrology equipment, and more.

The curriculum emphasizes both practical machining skills and advanced programming, preparing graduates for success in today’s high-tech manufacturing industry. Throughout the program, students can earn up to nine National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certifications in machining and programming, providing valuable, industry-recognized credentials.

The College highly encourages prospective students to take advantage of CNC scholarship opportunities while funding lasts. With the average annual wage for CNC programmers listed as $67,650 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is an opportunity to launch a rewarding career at no cost.

Interested individuals can email trainingsolutions@polk.edu to get started.