Do you want to build your future?

Who We Are

The California Tooling & Machining Apprenticeship Association (CTMAA) is a partnership of manufacturing industry leaders dedicated to addressing the ‘skills gap’ and providing good careers for those who choose these exciting in-demand roles.

What We Do

CTMAA partners with sponsor employers and CTMAA-certified colleges that offer manufacturing technology certificate programs — to offer registered apprenticeships for qualified candidates.

What is a Registered Apprenticeship?

A registered apprenticeship is a voluntary partnership between an Employer and an Employee. Candidates receive on-the-job training, employer-paid schooling and supervision by a qualified and experienced ‘expert’. “Registered” apprenticeships are approved by and certificates are awarded by the State of California and the US Department of Labor.

The Value Proposition

An entry-level candidate with good mechanical aptitude, reasonable math and language skills, working full time and taking class one or two nights (or a Saturday) per week for 2 Semesters per year will complete their 2 or 4 year certification — all the while earning an increasing wage as their skills grow — and not incur college debt!

Why Apprentice with CTMAA

CTMAA Apprenticeships are Registered in California and federally, giving candidates a competitive edge in this in-demand industry. With the support of the Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF), which supports qualified apprenticeship programs to sustain and scale their programs, the CTMAA has active apprentices throughout 21 California counties.

For Apprentices

Why Apprenticeships Work

People say it takes 10,000 hours to become a master at something. So, can you become a Journey-Level Machinist just by taking 1,000 hours of college classes? No… you can’t.

What’s the missing ingredient?

You need to take on more responsibilities and learn under an experienced ‘Master.’ That’s what an apprenticeship is all about.

Here are the benefits:

Up-skill reliable employees

Access today's tools & technology

Avoid false starts

Reputation for better careers

1/4 the cost of recruiting

Avoid competitor poaching

Better morale AND productivity

Attractive Wage Scale

Employers

Apprentices

CTMAA is Your Advocate

Registered Apprenticeships are required to have an Apprenticeship Committee to determine wage and skills standards, represent the training needs of all their industry employers – and to assure equal access, quality of instruction and determine standards for the certification of apprentices for graduation – as Journeypersons of their designated job (trade). CTMAA is a Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee (“UAC”) for the State of California. That means we are certified by the California Division of Apprentice Standards (“DAS”) -on a statewide basis- to:

Establish and Certify Training and Curriculum Standards
Keep Legal Records of Apprentice Academic and Performance Attainment
Survey Merit-shop Employers to Determine Appropriate Wage Levels
Conduct Recruiting and Outreach to Colleges, Schools and the Public
Serve as Advocates for both Apprentices and Employers
Receive Employment Training Panel (“ETP”) Funds from California, on Behalf of Employers

CTMAA Success Story

Read the Video Transcription

“What made you decide to become a CTMAA Apprentice?”

0:00
I wanted a career for my lifetime. Didn’t just want a job anymore. Yeah, it gives you the opportunity for more money. There is a lot of advancement in this field. The technology is ever-growing, so it’s always more to learn. That’s why I wanted to do this course.

0:18

“How did you get started with your CTMAA Apprenticeship?”

I started off as a shop boy, you know? I got in sweeping floors, cutting basic metal pieces, grinding edges, deburring parts, and then… They saw my aptitude for the smaller things and my employer offered the deal to me and I gladly accepted it. It’s a great opportunity in life to be a part of the program.”

00:44

“How has your CTMAA Apprenticeship impacted your career?”

“Through career it’s definitely slingshotting me ahead I do believe. If you are part of the apprenticeship I believe people look at you more closely and give you more opportunity because you’re showing the willingness to take the time to learn and go to school.”

00:59

“What advice would you give someone considering a CTMAA Apprenticeship?”

It’s worth putting in the time and effort to have the payoff in a long run. You know, more money, more responsibility, more advancements. You know, if you just kind of languish and just push through the days as an employee and not actually get the proper training, you don’t really excel that far. I mean, you can operate for the rest of your life. You never stop learning. There’s always more to learn here. Always more.