Manufacturing Technology
Ideal For: Those interested in building, improving, and managing manufacturing operations
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Skills that Work | Values that Lasts
The Bradbury School of Manufacturing & Innovation prepares students for high-skill careers in modern manufacturing through hands-on training, industry-aligned instruction, and stackable credentials that lead from technical foundations to leadership-level preparation.
At BSMI, technical excellence is inseparable from personal integrity. Precision matters. Accountability matters. The habits that define a skilled machinist — discipline, attention to detail, safety awareness, and responsibility for quality — are also the habits that shape strong professionals and trustworthy leaders.
BSMI is built on a simple belief: skilled trades deserve clear pathways for growth. Whether a student is entering the workforce, advancing from the shop floor, or preparing for plant-level responsibility, the School provides structured mobility through certificates, an associate degree, and a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Technology — all grounded in character formation and professional responsibility.
Students begin with foundational competencies in safety, measurement, print reading, metallurgy, and benchwork. As they progress, they develop proficiency in manual machining, CNC operations, CAD/CAM integration, automation systems, and process optimization. At the highest levels, students engage in advanced machining applications, production analysis, lean workflow evaluation, and capstone-level problem solving connected directly to real manufacturing environments.
What distinguishes BSMI is its integration of:
- Precision machining and CNC technology
- Automation, robotics, and mechatronics
- Production workflow and quality systems
- Applied communication and professional readiness
- Work-based learning and industry engagement
- Character-driven leadership development
Graduates are prepared not only to operate equipment, but to improve systems, support production teams, and lead with integrity in manufacturing organizations. They understand that quality is not simply a measurement — it is a commitment.
The Bradbury School partners closely with regional and national industry leaders to ensure that the curriculum reflects current workforce needs while reinforcing the values that sustain long-term professional success. Programs translate directly into recognized career roles such as CNC Machinist, Advanced Machinist, Process Technician, Manufacturing Engineer (technology track), Production Supervisor, and Operations Leader.
Through disciplined technical training, structured career mobility, and a commitment to character, the Bradbury School of Manufacturing & Innovation equips students to strengthen both the manufacturing workforce and the communities it serves.
Degree Pathways
Certificate: Manufacturing Technician
The Manufacturing Technician Certificate provides foundational preparation for entry-level employment in machining and manufacturing environments. Students develop safety awareness, precision measurement skills, blueprint interpretation, material knowledge, and disciplined shop practices required for successful performance in production settings.
This credential prepares students to enter manufacturing environments with confidence, safety compliance, and the ability to interpret technical instructions accurately.
Skills Developed
OSHA-aligned workplace safety
Precision measurement and inspection
Blueprint interpretation
Benchwork and manual layout
Material identification and quality awarenessTypical Career Pathways
Manufacturing Technician
Production Support Technician
Quality Inspection Assistant
Machine Operator Trainee
Fabrication Shop Assistant
CNC Operator TraineeCourses
IA-MF 101 Manufacturing Safety & Professional Practice (3)
IA-MF 102 Precision Measurement & Manufacturing Math (3)
IA-MF 103 Print Reading, Benchwork, & Inspection (3)
IA-MF 104 Metallurgy, Quality, & Inspection (3)
IA-MF 106 Manual Machining & Tooling (4)Total: 16 Credits
Certificate: CNC Machinist
The CNC Machinist Certificate prepares students for skilled employment in precision machining environments. Students develop competency in manual machining, CNC setup and operation, blueprint interpretation, tooling preparation, and quality verification.
Graduates are prepared to safely set up, operate, and monitor CNC milling and turning machines while maintaining dimensional accuracy and production standards.
This credential reflects machinist-level preparation recognized by manufacturing employers.
Skills Developed
Manual lathe and milling operations
CNC machine setup and offsets
Tooling selection and workholding
CAM-assisted programming fundamentals
In-process inspection and tolerance control
Production-ready workflow disciplineTypical Career Pathways
CNC Machinist
CNC Setup Technician
CNC Mill or Lathe Operator
Production Machinist
Tooling Technician
Precision Manufacturing TechnicianCourses
IA-MF 101 Manufacturing Safety & Professional Practice (3)
IA-MF 102 Precision Measurement & Manufacturing Math (3)
IA-MF 103 Print Reading, Benchwork, & Inspection (3)
IA-MF 104 Metallurgy, Quality, & Inspection (3)
IA-MF 106 Manual Machining & Tooling (4)
IA-MF 200 Computer-Aided Design (CAD I) (4)
IA-MF 210 CNC Machining & Tooling (4)
IA-MF 220 CAM for Manufacturing (4)
IA-MF 251 Mechatronics, Automation, & Robotics (3)Total: 31 Credits
Certificate: Advanced Machinist
The Advanced CNC Machinist Certificate prepares students for higher-skill machining roles involving complex part geometry, multi-setup machining, tighter tolerances, and process-level understanding of machining operations within production systems.
Students refine machining strategy, evaluate tooling tradeoffs, analyze machining workflows, and integrate Lean principles into machining operations.
This credential signals advanced machining capability and readiness for leadership-level technical roles in manufacturing environments.
Skills Developed
Advanced CNC machining strategies
Multi-setup and complex part production
Toolpath refinement and troubleshooting
Lean workflow evaluation
Inspection placement and process awareness
Machining efficiency and quality optimizationTypical Career Pathways
Advanced CNC Machinist
Lead Machinist
CNC Programmer (Entry-Level)
Tool & Die Technician (Support Role)
Manufacturing Process Technician
Shop Floor Technical LeadCoursework
IA-MF 101 Manufacturing Safety & Professional Practice (3)
IA-MF 102 Precision Measurement & Manufacturing Math (3)
IA-MF 103 Print Reading, Benchwork, & Inspection (3)
IA-MF 104 Metallurgy, Quality, & Inspection (3)
IA-MF 106 Manual Machining & Tooling (4)
IA-MF 200 Computer-Aided Design (CAD I) (4)
IA-MF 210 CNC Machining & Tooling (4)
IA-MF 220 CAM for Manufacturing (4)
IA-MF 251 Mechatronics, Automation, & Robotics (3)
IA-MF 301 Advanced Machining Applications (4)
IA-MF 303 Machine Tool Process & Production (4)Total: 39 Credits
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Manufacturing Technology
The Associate of Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology builds on advanced machining skills and prepares graduates for increased responsibility within manufacturing environments. In addition to technical depth in CNC machining, automation exposure, and process awareness, students develop communication, documentation, and analytical skills that support advancement into supervisory and process-support roles.
This degree is designed for machinists who want upward mobility — not just machine proficiency.
Why Move Beyond the Certificate?
While certificates prepare students to operate and set up equipment, the Associate degree prepares graduates to:
Communicate across departments
Document quality and production data clearly
Interpret production metrics
Support workflow and efficiency improvements
Take on lead or senior technician responsibilities
Many employers use the associate degree as a benchmark for promotion into lead roles, quality support positions, and production oversight.Career Mobility Pathways
Graduates are positioned for roles such as:
Senior CNC Machinist
Lead Machinist
Quality Technician
Process Technician
Production Supervisor (Entry-Level)
Automation Support Technician
The Associate degree signals readiness for responsibility beyond individual part production.Coursework
Additional general education and upper-division coursework
Elective courses in: Advanced Machining Applications; Machine Tool Process & Production; Mechatronics, Automation & Robotics; Work-Based Learning / Co-OpTotal: 60Credits
Bachelor of Science: Manufacturing Technology
The Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Technology prepares graduates to move from skilled execution into manufacturing leadership, systems improvement, and production optimization roles. Students expand beyond machining proficiency to develop process evaluation skills, automation integration knowledge, data-informed decision-making, and professional communication capacity.
Why Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in a Trade Field?
Modern manufacturing requires professionals who can:
Evaluate and improve production systems
Integrate automation and robotics
Lead cross-functional teams
Analyze workflow efficiency
Present improvement strategies to management
Translate shop-floor realities into operational decisions
The bachelor’s degree increases long-term mobility by preparing graduates for plant-level, systems-level, and managerial roles that typically require four-year credentials.This degree is particularly valuable for:
Machinists seeking advancement into supervisory or management roles
Technicians transitioning into process engineering or manufacturing support
Professionals aiming for operations or production managementCareer Mobility Pathways
Graduates may advance into roles such as:
Manufacturing Engineer (Technology Track)
Process Improvement Specialist
CNC Programmer (Advanced)
Production Manager
Operations Supervisor
Manufacturing Systems Analyst
Technical Sales or Applications Specialist
The bachelor’s degree opens pathways into positions that combine technical expertise with leadership and decision-making authority.Coursework Includes
Advanced Machining Applications
Machine Tool Process & Production
Mechatronics, Automation & Robotics
Advanced Studio & Innovation Lab (Capstone)
Work-Based Learning / Co-Op
Additional general education and upper-division coursework
Total: 120 Credits
Manufacturing Education Center of Kansas (The MECH Center)
Scheduled to open in the Fall of 2027, this complex is designed to connect education with real-world manufacturing environments. The Center provides hands-on technical development, customized workforce training, and applied learning experiences that prepare students and industry partners for the evolving demands of modern production.
The MECH Center functions as both a learning laboratory and a workforce development partner. Students gain experience with precision machining, CNC systems, automation technologies, production workflows, and quality-driven manufacturing practices in environments that reflect contemporary industry standards. Instruction emphasizes disciplined execution, problem-solving, safety compliance, and production accountability.
The Center reflects a broader commitment to workforce mobility. Whether serving high school students exploring technical careers, adult learners seeking advancement, or incumbent workers upgrading their skill sets, the MECH Center supports structured pathways from technician-level proficiency to advanced manufacturing leadership.
For industry partners, the MECH Center offers:
- Customized upskilling and reskilling programs
- Targeted technical workshops
- CNC and machining training modules
- Automation and systems integration support
- Directed studies for workforce competency gaps
- Work-based learning and co-op coordination