A national probability survey on education and training for CAD/CAM

Manufacturing facilities having CAD/CAM in place were surveyed to access their training priorities. In addition, factors explaining variations in training programs were explored. The results indicate that not all plants have seen a need for training (especially those which are smaller and have less automated equipment). For those who have training programs, the programs were found to teach generic as well as traditional machine skills to a variety of occupations. An organization´s decision to adopt a CAM/CAM training program was primarily related to three factors: the amount of CAD/CAM equipment installed, plant size, and relative size of manufacturing operations (integrations of the CAD/CAM equipment and market variables were less influential). An organization´s decision about scope or extensiveness of the training was related to somewhat different and more varied factors including the degree to which the CAD/CAM equipment is integrated, and growth in the firm´s industry. Implications of these findings for research and practise are discussed.