Overview
The General Machinist program offered at St. Lawrence College includes the in-school training of the General Machinist Apprenticeship as defined by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
Level 1 (Basic) Apprenticeship Program Code 0182
Level 2 (Intermediate) Apprenticeship Program Code 0183
Level 3 (Advanced) Apprenticeship Program Code 0184
Program length is 34 weeks with one 7-hour day per week in-school for each of the three levels of study (basic, intermediate, and advanced). The apprentice will work on the job for the other 4 days per week. To complete the in-school and on-the-job training usually takes about four years.
The General Machinist Apprenticeship program covers the theory and techniques required to allow the apprentice to produce machined parts used in new products and for machinery in industrial plants. Apprentices learn related theory and develop skills on a variety of machine tools, including computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines.
This program is funded in part by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
Learn more about Apprenticeships in Ontario. For start dates, contact the Employment Ontario apprenticeship office in your area.
Program Details
Program Highlights
This program is considered a Red Seal trade (see www.red-seal.ca - opens a new window). Apprenticeship grants are designed to make a career in the trades an attractive choice and to encourage more apprentices to complete their training. Eligible apprentices may receive up to $4,000 which can be used to pay for tuition, travel, tools, or other expenses.
As per the Service Canada website, registered apprentices who have successfully finished their first or second year / level (or equivalent) in one of the Red Seal trades can apply for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) which is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year / level up to a maximum of $2,000. Registered apprentices who complete their training, become a certified journeyperson in a designated Red Seal trade, and who obtain either the Red Seal endorsement or a provincial or territorial Certificate of Qualification can apply for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) which is a taxable cash grant of $2,000. For more information visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca.
Program Outline
2023-2024
The student will be given classroom instruction and shop demonstrations that will assist him/her in completion of assigned practical exercises and projects in MACH 23. Topics to be discussed include: Shop Safety, Bench work, Measuring instruments, and the set-up and operation of drill press, lathe, milling machines, grinding machines, and basic metallurgy.
This course is designed to enable the student to safely set-up and operate a variety of machine shop tools at a basic level. Projects will be completed using drill presses, band saw, pedestal grinder, lathe, milling machine, surface grinder and basic hand tools.
This course will enable the student to read and interpret blueprints and operational sequence sheets in order to determine layout, machining or inspection of a work piece. Topics involved include: sketching, dimensioning, tolerances and finishes, auxiliary and sectional views and related information.
This course will enable the student to apply related shop formula to assist in the completion of assigned practical projects in MACH 23. Topics include: the decimal system, metric system, ratio and proportion, plane geometry, area and volume and the use of tables and charts.
The student will be given classroom instruction and shop demonstrations that will assist him/her in completion of assigned practical exercises and projects in MACH 24. Topics to be discussed include: Machine Safety, Measuring instruments, tooling and the set-up and operation of lathe, milling machines, surface grinding machines, and metallurgy. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) will be introduced in this course with the emphasis on programming language and methods of machining.
Prerequisite MACH 20, MACH 23
This course is designed to enable the student to safely set-up and operate a variety of machine shop tools at a more advanced level. Projects will be completed using measuring tools, lathes, milling machines, surface grinders and computer numerically controlled machines.
Prerequisite MACH 20, MACH 23
This course will enable the student to read and interpret blueprints and operational sequence sheets in order to determine layout, machining or inspection of a work piece. Topics involved include: drawing symbols, auxiliary and sectional views, sketching revolved and partial sectional views, gear and cam features, charts and tables.
Prerequisite MACH 26
This course will enable the student to apply related shop formula to assist in the completion of assigned practical projects in MACH 24. Topics include: Pythagorean theorem, right triangles, circles, trigonometry, and the use of tables and charts.
Prerequisite MACH 32
The student will be given classroom instruction and shop demonstrations that will assist him/her in completion of assigned practical exercises and projects in MACH 25. Topics to be discussed include: Machine Safety, Measuring instruments, tooling and the set-up and operation of lathe, milling machines, cylindrical grinder tool and cutter grinder, metallurgy, and computer numerical control (CNC).
Prerequisite MACH 21, MACH 24
This course is designed to enable the student to safely set-up and operate a variety of machine shop tools at a more advanced level. Projects will be completed using measuring tools, lathes, milling machines, cylindrical grinder tool, cutter grinder, and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines.
Prerequisite MACH 21, MACH 24
This course will enable the student to read and interpret blueprints and operational sequence sheets at a more advanced level in order to determine layout, machining or inspection of a work piece. Topics involved include: geometric tolerancing, dimensional terminology, auxiliary and sectional views, ISO system, charts and tables.
Prerequisite MACH 27
This course will enable the student to apply related shop formula to assist in the completion of assigned practical projects in MACH 25. Topics include: oblique triangles, trigonometry and the use of tables and charts.
Prerequisite MACH 33
Requirements
Admission Requirements
The apprentice must be:
- Sponsored by an employer
- Registered with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
- Registered with the Ontario College of Trades
Kingston
Our Kingston campus has seen significant renovation over the past few years, including a brand new Student Life and Innovation Centre that houses a new gymnasium, fitness centre, pub, and more.


Program Contacts
Program Contact
Aidan Wornes
awornes@sl.on.ca
613.544.5400 ext. 1461
Admissions Information
Click here to message Recruitment.