From TCAT to Five-Axis Programming: Building a Career in Advanced Manufacturing
What can the first year of a manufacturing career look like?
For Carson Swift, it's included transitioning from technical education into full-time employment, gaining hands-on machining experience and beginning to learn advanced five-axis CNC programming.
It's a career path he hadn't originally planned to pursue. Before enrolling at Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Pulaski, Carson was considering welding. He had previous experience in the field, but a suggestion from his father encouraged him to explore CNC machining instead.
With an existing interest in computers and technology, Carson discovered a field that combined his interests with opportunities to continually learn and solve problems.
Today, he's building his career, where technical education, hands-on experience and guidance from experienced colleagues are helping him develop skills he once thought might take years to pursue.
Discovering an Interest in CNC Programming
Carson enrolled in TCAT's 16-month CNC machining program, beginning with manual machining before progressing into CNC programming.
He quickly discovered that he enjoyed understanding how equipment worked and exploring the technical details behind manufacturing processes. "I've always yearned for more knowledge, and I like to get deep into things," Carson explained.
His instructor recognized his interest in programming and encouraged him to develop those skills further through a SkillsUSA competition. Carson went on to place third in Tennessee for CNC programming.
The experience helped reinforce his decision to pursue a career in machining. Through a career event, his instructor also helped connect him with our company.
Our advanced German and Italian machining equipment, along with the scale and complexity of the components being manufactured, stood out to Carson. It was an opportunity to build on what he'd learned in the classroom while gaining experience with sophisticated manufacturing technology.
Connecting Technical Education With Hands-On Experience
Carson began working at us through TCAT's paid cooperative education program, allowing him to gain practical manufacturing experience while completing his education.
His first assignment was in the tool room, preparing approximately 80 to 150 tools each day for machining operations. That experience helped him become familiar with the tooling, cutters and processes used throughout the manufacturing operation.
After transitioning into a full-time role, Carson began developing additional skills in machine operation, setup and troubleshooting.
Learning the fundamentals on the shop floor gave him a practical understanding of how machining processes work and how programming decisions translate into physical manufacturing operations.
Today, that experience influences his approach to CNC programming. Rather than focusing solely on how a part should be machined, Carson also considers how the operator will set up the equipment and execute the program.
It's a perspective developed through hands-on experience and one that continues to strengthen as he takes on more advanced work.
Advancing Into Five-Axis Programming
One of the most significant developments in Carson's first year has been the opportunity to begin learning five-axis CNC programming.
Five-axis machining allows cutting tools to approach components from multiple directions, supporting the production of complex geometries and precision features.
Developing the programming skills needed for this equipment is an important step in Carson's technical growth. He's learning from Mitch Brodzinski, an experienced programmer who has helped him continue building his knowledge.
"I'm being trained on five-axis programming right now, and I never thought that would be within my first year in the trade," Carson said. When he first entered the field, Carson imagined it might take five to eight years before he had the opportunity to begin developing those skills. Instead, he's already working toward that next level.
"I'm very, very fortunate, and it's fun. It's a lot of fun." His experience demonstrates how access to advanced equipment, practical experience and knowledgeable colleagues can create opportunities for employees to develop their capabilities throughout their careers.
Creating Opportunities for Continued Growth
As we continue strengthening our advanced manufacturing capabilities, developing the knowledge and skills of its workforce remains an important part of that progress.
Partnerships with technical education programs such as TCAT help introduce students to manufacturing careers while providing opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experience.
For Carson, that connection helped turn an unexpected interest into a career with room to grow.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue developing his programming expertise and eventually explore more advanced coding and post-processing. "This trade is so vast and endless. I'll never learn everything about it," Carson said.
That opportunity for continuous learning is what continues to motivate him. From his first days in the tool room to learning five-axis programming, Carson's experience shows how quickly a career can develop when technical education is paired with hands-on opportunities and a commitment to learning.
For Carson, the journey is just beginning.