A little over four years since its inception, the Machine Technology Program at Amarillo College is officially accredited as of April 8, 2015. Based on industry-set quality standards, The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Accreditation is one of the highest benchmarks for metalworking training programs in the United States.
By becoming accredited, the staff and faculty at Amarillo College have met NIMS quality requirements, including a self-evaluation, faculty credentials, student credentials and an intensive two-day on-site evaluation at the college facility. The on-site evaluation, held in fall 2014, was conducted by a NIMS Evaluation Team that included NIMS Lead Evaluator Tim Cloud of Advanced Fixtures, Inc. and Industry Representative Ted Davis of FMC Technologies, Inc (also a NIMS accredited training provider).
After a comprehensive facility inspection, observation of active students, plus in-depth interviews with program faculty, administrators and local employers, the Evaluation Team gave the program above-average ratings in the evaluation areas of:
- Program Purpose
- Facilities
- Equipment, Tooling and Measuring Devices
- Program Administration
- Program Faculty
This accreditation is based the industry-written and industry approved NIMS Machining Level I Skill Standard, with a focus on four main skills credentials:
- Job Planning, Benchwork and Layout
- Measurement, Materials and Safety
- Milling I
- Turning Operations: Chucking Skills
For more information contact:
Catherine Ross
Director of Accreditation
The National Institute for Metalworking Skills
10565 Fairfax Blvd., Suite 203
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-352-4971
cross@nims-skills.org
www.nims-skills.org
Robert L. Gustin
Machine Technology Instructor
Amarillo College
806-335-4332
rlgustin@actx.edu