Machine Trades
Machine Trades: Your Personal Industrial Superpower
Design it. Program it. Build it. Fix it.
Build things you actually use. Organize your space. Create gifts people keep. Fix what’s broken. Or design something that’s never existed before. Machine Trades is where ideas leave the screen and become real, usable objects.
If you’ve ever taken something apart to see how it works, sketched an idea you wanted to build, customized a project, or worked with your hands, you’re already on the path. In this class, you’ll turn digital designs into real-world creations using an extensive collection of hand tools and manual machine tools, then CAD/CAM software to bring the full range of CNC equipment to life—shaping plastics, metals, and wood to the precise dimensions of your design.
Think It. Design It. Build It.
Personal Projects: This isn’t a class of “practice blocks.” You’ll design and build projects that matter to you — from organizers and one-of-a-kind gifts to creative builds and functional repairs for vehicles or equipment. Machine Trades gives you the skills to take an idea, plan it, build it, and finish it with professional-level precision.
The “I Can Fix That” Factor: You’ll learn how things actually work. From engines and equipment to everyday technology, you gain the confidence to repair, modify, and improve the world around you.
Art Meets Industry: Use the same types of technology found in advanced manufacturing to shape metal with incredible detail. You’ll create parts measured down to the width of a human hair — precision that goes far beyond basic fabrication or hobby tools.
Why It Matters: Machine Trades lets you build, fix, and create real things—stop buying what you want and make it yourself. You’ll learn hands-on skills with tools, machines, and CAD/CAM technology used across one of the most widespread and in-demand sectors in the world. Careers in this field are adaptable to nearly every industry, with entry-level positions around $40K–$65K and experienced workers earning beyond $100K.
(Machine Trades is held at the GI-TEC Mt. Pleasant Campus).
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Truck Project
GI-TEC Machine Trades students have been hard at work making major improvements to a truck project! Students designed and built a larger battery box, a new dump bed, and all the mounts for the hydraulics and frame pivots. Along the way, students used manual and CNC machining, as well as 3D-printed prototypes, to help design and create custom components for the build.This hands-on project gave students valuable real-world experience in fabrication, welding, machining, mechanical design, and problem-solving. The truck will be put to work all summer long, and it will be back in the fall for even more upgrades!
GI-TEC Machine Trades students are putting their skills to work with CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology. Using CAD designs and G-code, they program mills, lathes, and cutters to perform precise cutting, drilling, milling, and shaping of metal, wood, and plastic. From classroom projects to real-world industry parts, students are learning how automated manufacturing turns digital designs into finished products. Precision in action!
Career Preparation:
Gain skills used in millions of jobs all around the globe!
- Opens up opportunities in any level of manufacturing
- All fields of Engineering
- CAD / Design specialist
- Welding or machine part Inspector
- Line technician / maintenance / design
- CNC Operator
- CNC Programer
- Lathe Operator
- Mill Operator
- Fabricator
- Welder
- Infrastructure design
- Automation technician / maintenance / design
- Tool & Die Making
- Machine Repair / Maintenance
- Process Engineer
- Foreman / Supervisor
- Business owner
Welcome to the Machine Trades shop! My own path in this field started right here at the GI-TEC during high school. The hands-on experience and practical knowledge I gained were absolute game-changers for my life and career, setting the foundation for everything that followed.
After high school, I attended commercial dive school and spent over a decade working underwater construction on dams, bridges, and power plants. Over time, my passion for motorsports drove a wide range of side work, including building race chassis and high-performance engines, machining, auto mechanics, bodywork, and custom fabrication. I have also spent time as a heavy equipment operator, tow truck and semi driver, and used car salesman. If it went fast with an engine - whether it was mud bogging, truck pulling, circle track, drag racing, side-by-sides, or powerboats - I was involved.
Eventually, I had the opportunity to buy out my engine machinist's business. That venture evolved into a CNC engine part manufacturing company, producing and shipping custom work all across North America. After selling the original shop to an employee after seven years, I transitioned my focus to CNC manufacturing, which opened the door for me to return to GI-TEC as an instructor.
Over my career, I’ve watched the skilled trades transform from an underappreciated route into one of the most in-demand, high-opportunity career fields available today. I am here to pay forward the incredible mentorship I received, shine a light on the great potential in modern machining, and help students experience the pride and self-confidence that comes with mastering a trade.
Cade Schafer
Machine Trades Instructor, GI-TEC
