General Machinist (Apprenticeship)

Please note:

Prospective students must be registered apprentices with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). For more information on apprenticeship training contact your local Employment Ontario apprenticeship office.

Program description

This 720-hour program consisting of three 240-hour levels is designed to provide the apprentice with theoretical knowledge of all aspects of general machining as well as practical training necessary to complement your on-the-job training experience. Upon completion, this program confers the

graduate an Ontario College Certificate titled Machine Shop – General Machining Apprenticeship.

Program details

Code: 0703

Delivery: Apprenticeship

Length: 720 hours

Start: Varies

Campus: Cambridge - Reuter Drive

Credential: Ontario College Certificate

Program contacts

trades@conestogac.on.ca

Academic school

Trades & Apprenticeship

Fees & payment

Fees are set by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development as per the Offer of Classroom Training.
Books, safety equipment, tools, and parking fees are additional. For details, visit Orientation & support.
Applicants are registered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Awards & scholarships

Conestoga College's Student Financial Services administers many awards, bursaries, scholarships and academic grants. Information and application forms for numerous awards, bursaries and scholarships are administered by Student Financial Services.

Many program-specific awards are administered by individual programs. Students should speak to their faculty or program coordinators about additional awards available in their program specific areas.

Courses

Level 1

Course details

Engineering Drawings/Layout Processes
DRWG1410

Description: This course designed to introduce the student to the skills necessary to read shop-related blueprints. The student will then be able to transfer dimensioned information to measurements on a work-piece, identify the features of a work-piece by interpreting a two or three view mechanical drawing, sketch to scale the three principle views of a work-piece or a pictorial view, and demonstrate layout procedures.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Applied Trade Practices and Procedures
MACH1060

Description: This course provides the student with the practical application of: safe working conditions; fitting and hand assembly using bench hand tools and metal removing hand tools; direct and indirect measuring instruments, inspection checking and indicating gauges; layout tools, instruments and accessories; the cutting process, tool geometry and cutting fluids; metal sawing machines; drilling and related machining operations on drilling machines; facing, centre drilling, parallel turning, taper turning, knurling, grooving and threading techniques on engine lathes; horizontal, vertical and angular flat milling on milling machines; pedestal grinding of single point tools and drills; and surface grinding of flat perpendicular surfaces.

Hours: 96
Credits: 7
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Trade Theory
MACH1290

Description: This course provides the student with a theoretical background to ensure safe working practices and conditions in the areas of : fitting and hand assembly using bench hand tools and metal removing hand tools; direct and indirect measuring instruments, inspection checking and indicating gauges; layout tools, instruments and accessories; the cutting process, tool geometry and cutting fluids; metal sawing machines; drilling and related machining operations on drilling machines; facing, centre drilling, parallel turning, taper turning, knurling, grooving and threading techniques on engine lathes; horizontal, vertical and angular flat milling on milling machines; pedestal grinding of single point tools and drills; and surface grinding of flat perpendicular surfaces.

Hours: 60
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Applied Trade Calculations, Charts and Tables
MATH1270

Description: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to employ the terminology and concepts necessary for machine shop applications of basic algebra, algebraic equations, powers and roots, and ratios and proportion. In addition, the apprentice will be able to make the calculations necessary to compute cutting speeds, rpm and cutting times, and perform occupational calculations relating to metal machining using SI units and inch units.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Engineering Drawings
DRWG2040

Description: Successful completion of this course, will enable the student to use engineering drawing symbols, aligned views, tolerances and thread designations. The student will be able to identify workpiece features, interpret sectional, removed, partial, enlarged, broken out and to explain working drawing elements and interpret and use tooling drawings. Additionally, the student will be able to describe the features of gears, cams and bearings.

Hours: 36
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Trade Theory
MACH2050

Description: This course provides the student with a theoretical background parameters of precision measurement, optical comparators and air gauging devices; layout operations on in-process workpieces; the cutting process, cutting tool materials, tool life and surface texture; engineering materials, their machining characteristics and the standard designation systems; technical data; drilling, reaming, boring, tapers, screw threads and eccentric diameters on engine lathes; form and combined surface cutting tools on milling machines; and surface and cylindrical grinding techniques on grinding machines. In addition the student will study the principles, economic significance of numerical control, coding, CNC dimensioning, axis designations and the types and classifications of CNC turning equipment. The student will study heat treatment of ferrous metals and describe physical and mechanical properties.

Hours: 72
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Applied Trade Practices And Procedures
MACH2060

Description:

This course provides the student with a practical application of the parameters of precision measurement, optical comparators and air gauging devices; layout operations on in-process workpieces; the cutting process, cutting tool materials, tool life and surface texture; engineering materials, their machining characteristics and the standard designation systems; technical data; drilling, reaming, boring, tapers, screw threads and eccentric diameters on engine lathes; form and combined surface cutting tools on milling machines; and surface and cylindrical grinding techniques on grinding machines. In addition the student will study the principles, economic significance of numerical control, coding, CNC dimensioning, axis designations and the types and classifications of CNC turning equipment. The student will study heat treatment of ferrous metals and describe physical and mechanical properties.

Hours: 96
Credits: 7
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Applied Trade Calculations
MATH2170

Description: This course provides the student with a theoretical math background to be able to perform calculations and functions to determine plane geometric and right angle trigonometric functions. The student will be able to work with charts, tables, reference material and other forms of technical data to solve shop related problems.

Hours: 36
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Level 3

Course details

Complex Engineering Drawings
DRWG3030

Description: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to interpret geometric tolerances and apply the system of limits and fits to workpieces as specified on tooling or engineering drawings.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Trade Theory
MACH3010

Description:

This course provides the student with a theoretical background of the techniques of internal and external taper turning and cutting advanced screw threads on an engine lathe; internal grinding; using the dividing head, rotary table, boring head compound angle vise and gear cutters on a milling machine; horizontal and vertical flat milling and boring; sharpening tools and cutters on a universal tool and cutter grinder; heat treatment; CNC machining centers and Conversational Milling controls and optical comparators.

Hours: 69
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Applied Trade Practices And Procedures
MACH3020

Description: This course provides the student with a practical application of the techniques of internal and external taper turning and cutting advanced screw threads on an engine lathe; internal grinding; using the dividing head, rotary table, boring head compound angle vise and gear cutters on a milling machine; horizontal and vertical flat milling and boring; sharpening tools and cutters on a universal tool and cutter grinder; heat treatment; CNC machining centres or conversational milling controls and optical comparators.

Hours: 93
Credits: 6
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Applied Trade Calculations
MATH3080

Description: Successful completion of this course will enable the apprentice to solve machine shop problems using right angle trigonometric functions, the law of Sines, the Law of Cosines, and the Law of Cotangents. In addition, the apprentice will be able to solve applied occupational calculation problems related to machine shop layout, setup, metal removing operation, metal machine operation and shop measuring, checking and verifying.

Hours: 36
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

Solve routine technical problems related to shop environments using a variety of systematic approaches
Interpret and produce basic graphics and other standard technical documents necessary for the routine installation, maintenance, repair, and manufacture of components
Complete all work in compliance with health and safety legislation and prescribed organizational practices and procedures to ensure safety of self and others
Perform basic technical measurements using appropriate tools
Use shop tools and equipment for basic installation, manufacture, and repair of components to required specifications.
Work responsibly and effectively within a shop environment in accordance with appropriate practices and procedures.
Develop and implement a plan for CNC programming
Perform procedures for linear and circular machining in manufacturing
Perform various machining procedures, such as milling, turning and cutting according to plan.

Program handbook

Graduate opportunities

General machinists are employed in small machining shops or in advanced manufacturing industries. They read and interpret complex engineering drawings and work-process documentation; cut, shape, and finish metal to make precision machining parts and components; and set up and operate conventional and numerically controlled metal-cutting machines and equipment.

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home

Program device & software requirements

This program requires you to have a device that meets certain specifications. For most students, this cost is in addition to the tuition & fees listed above.

view device requirements

#ThinkConestoga

Success stories

November 14, 2024

Conestoga team crafts new float for KW Santa Claus Parade

October 25, 2024

Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus hosts inaugural safety fair for skilled trades

September 27, 2024

Conestoga receives DeWalt grant to continue growing the skilled trades

September 20, 2024

Conestoga professors bring expertise to WorldSkills Competition in France