Since they are highly skilled and represent an investment of years of training at considerable expense, employers are reluctant to lay them off, even in times of economic adversity. Wages also vary from firm to firm. The standard workweek is Monday through Friday. Fringe benefits vary by firm, but generally include health care, retirement, and sick leave benefits, as well as paid holidays and vacations. Training in the four-year apprenticeship program is spent mostly in the shop and on the job.
Apprentices learn to operate hand and power tools, and other mechanical equipment.
They also study heat treating and other metal working processes. In addition to shop work, apprentices receive on an average of 144 hours per year of classroom instruction in mathematics, mechanical drawing, tool designing, tool programming, and blueprint reading. Vocational education programs are available through many community colleges. At the present time, about 50 colleges offer programs leading to a certificate or degree in machines shop. Some community colleges offer tool design technology courses.