It’s the start of a new school year at W.D. Mary Baker Career Center, and inside the Computer Integrated Machinery (CIM) lab, students are already hard at work. The air hums with the sound of machines, sparks flying as raw materials are transformed into precision-crafted components. Yet, despite the buzz of activity and the bright future this program promises, the pathway remains one of the least filled at the center—a stark contrast to the high demand for machinists in the local job market.
Dr. Holly Boffy, principal of the career center, knows this better than anyone. Walking through the lab, she watches students navigate the state-of-the-art equipment—Haas CNC Mills and Fusion 360 software—that are the foundation of the CIM pathway. “Our industries are clamoring for skilled machinists,” she says, “but the biggest challenge we face is exposure. Students don’t realize the incredible opportunities this pathway offers.”
The disconnect is clear: while local industries urgently need trained professionals, many students and parents don’t fully understand the critical role machinists play—or the high-paying jobs that await them. The pathway offers hands-on experience in designing and manufacturing parts using advanced technology, but the seats remain underfilled.
For students like James, who came into the program with little knowledge of what it entailed, the experience has been eye-opening. “I had no idea this kind of work was even an option for me,” he admits, “but now I see how it can lead to a real career.”
The CIM program teaches students to operate industry-standard tools like the Haas CNC machines and master software such as Fusion 360, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. But without broader awareness, many students miss out on this life-changing opportunity.
Dr. Boffy hopes to change that. By hosting field trips, inviting industry experts, and ramping up exposure, she’s working to ensure that students can not only hear the machines and see the sparks but also understand the future they can build through this pathway.
The potential is right in front of them—the machines are waiting, the opportunities are endless. Are you ready to take the next step?