PBSC’s Machining Technology program trains students for high-demand jobs

When Diego Sangiovanni first entered the machine shop at Palm Beach State College he instantly felt at home. The smell of metal reminded him of working on projects with his father, who is a blacksmith.

“When I saw all of the machines in the shop, I knew I made the right choice,” Sangiovanni said.

The 26-year-old West Palm Beach native didn’t take a direct route to machining. After earning his Associate in Arts degree from Palm Beach State College in 2020, he began working as an accounting operator at a bank. But the sedentary nature of the job left him unfulfilled, and he wanted more hands-on work.

Sangiovanni began considering a career change and learned about the Machining Technology program through a former classmate. Intrigued, he did some research and started the program in August 2024. He hasn’t looked back since.

Since joining, Sangiovanni has gained experience with a wide range of tools, including CNC lathes, manual mills, grinders and laser and water cutters. He’s also toured manufacturing facilities operated by the Machining Technology program’s industry partners. 

Sangiovanni’s favorite part of the program is working hands-on in the machine shop. He believes working in the shop will help him in the field because it mirrors real-world environments.  He also credits his instructors for sharpening his critical thinking and problem-solving skills, tools just as essential as the machines he works with.

Sangiovanni hopes to work as a machinist building medical parts in the healthcare industry  after completing the program in October. “I feel like if I make a part that helps someone or saves someone’s life, it would make me feel very accomplished,” he said.

Sangiovanni is entering a field that’s not only hands-on and rewarding, but also in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for machinists is $56,150, with approximately 35,400 job openings projected each year, on average, over the next decade. The demand is driven by workforce retirements and growth in manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, automotive and medical devices. Students can complete the Machining Technology program at PBSC in just over a year allowing them to enter the workforce and start earning quickly.

PBSC machining instructor Angel Madiedo says the opportunities in the field are growing, especially for those who enjoy solving problems and working with precision.

“There’s huge demand right now,” Madiedo said. “Companies are looking for workers who can think critically, solve problems when machines malfunction and make precision parts. We’re training students to walk into a job on day one and deliver.”

The promise of job readiness is what drew 18-year-old Emariya Lucas to the program. Lucas, from Belle Glade, learned about machining through PBSC’s NextGen Summer Bridge program in 2024, where Madiedo gave a presentation about machining that sparked her interest.

“I rather be here in a trade finishing before others so I can start my career earlier,” Lucas said.

She enrolled in the Machining Technology program in August 2024 and was already learning how to cut aluminum on the second day of class. Her favorite aspect of the program is the supportive environment created by her instructors and peers. That support has motivated Lucas to encourage more women to pursue machining even if it’s not a traditional path.

“We need more women in this trade because women can do exactly what men can do,” she said.

Lucas hopes to work within the aerospace industry as a machinist. “I feel like I’ve truly found my passion and I would love to do this for the rest of my life. I’m very thankful for what I’ve learned from this machining technology program because I know that it’s prepared me for my career.”

Learn more about the Machining Technology program