LAYTON—From cars to medical equipment and everything in between, it all started with a machinist. An engineer designs it and a machinist makes it. The field is in high demand and Northridge High School is preparing students to fill those jobs. 

“I want to make sure students are exposed to machining in high school,” said Kurt Jensen, machining instructor. “Most schools don’t have it. We’re the only school in the Davis School District and there are only six or seven in the whole state.”

Northridge Machining was recently awarded $18,000 from the Gene Haas Foundation. “The Foundation was started by Gene Haas who owns Haas machines,” said Natalie Williams,  Operation Supervisor with productivity. “They make CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines. The organization helps local schools get the machines and the tools they need to get students into the industry and excited about manufacturing.” 

The grant funds can be used for student scholarships for Machining Training post high school, SkillsUSA machining competitions and student tool kits, she said. “Northridge received a $2,500 grant in 2020 from the Gene Haas Foundation as well.”

“They give away about $50 million in grants,” said Jensen. “This kind of money is significant to a high school program.”

Jensen said he wants to give students an opportunity to learn about machining. “It’s a great career path. Some students leave high school and are hired right away. There are hundreds of employers in Utah looking for machinists. Kids can also go into a technical school or college.”

Northridge offers machining I, II and II, he said. “It’s a good fit for students who like to work with their hands and like to see how things work.”

A machinist’s job is to take whatever an engineer designs and make it into metal, plastic or composite, Jensen said. “Everything we touch on a daily basis was made by a machinist. They made the parts for the car you drive or for your phone.”

Machinists also have a good opportunity within the industry to go into sales inspection or quality control, he said. “Big companies like Northrop Grumman and Boeing have every type of machinist.”

Once kids understand the process they understand how things were designed, said Jensen. “One of my students was at Lagoon and he said ‘oh i see the parts that were used.’”

“I love building things,” said Northridge High senior, Ky Hadlock. “I have a 3-D printer at home but it can’t always do what I want. I can get stuff off a machine for more durable projects.”

Right now it’s more of a hobby, he said. “I want to go into building cars. So if I need a part, maybe for an old car, I can use CNC at some point and make my own part.”

“I’m super nerdy,” said Jensen. “I just love to make stuff. I like working with my hands to see how things work. I like to have something tangible that I made with my own hands and know that it helps other people.”