LearnCourses, paths and programs
Learn the trade, for free if you can.
The best courses for machinists, programmers and designers, free ones first, in paths by trade. Save a course and it lives on your career page, next to the jobs it leads to.
Paths by trade
Start with the trade you want
The courses each trade needs, in the order we’d take them. Pick yours on your career page and tick them off as you go.
Free on Titans of CNCFreeTitans of CNC AcademyA free, project-based curriculum: mill, lathe, 5-axis, CAD and CAM.Titans of CNCFree on HaasFreeHaas CNC CertificationFree online Basic Mill and Lathe Operator courses, with an optional hands-on exam at a Haas outlet (Thomas Skinner in BC, AB, SK and MB).HaasFree on GD&T BasicsFreeGD&T BasicsA free symbol chart, articles, quizzes and a true position calculator.GD&T BasicsFree on Sandvik CoromantFreeSandvik Coromant e-learning75 short lessons on turning, milling, drilling, threading and tool holding, with a certificate.Sandvik CoromantFree on MitutoyoFreeMitutoyo resource centerFree guides to measuring tools and metrology.MitutoyoFree on MastercamFreeMastercam UniversityOnline video training; four core courses are free.MastercamFree on OnshapeFreeOnshape Learning CenterSelf-paced courses with exercises, and the Certified Onshape Associate exam.OnshapeFree on YouTubeFreeProduct Design OnlineClear Fusion lessons from the first sketch up.YouTubeFree on YouTubeFreeAutodesk Fusion on YouTubeFusion’s own channel, including CAM.YouTubeFree on YouTubeFreeTitans of CNCReal parts, start to finish.YouTubeFree on YouTubeFreeAbom79A working machinist on manual and CNC jobs.YouTubeFree on YouTubeFreeCutting Edge EngineeringHeavy repair and machining, explained as it happens.YouTubeFree on YouTubeFreeHaas AutomationTip of the Day and machine how-tos.YouTube
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Schools, programs and tools
Everything else worth knowing
Schools across Canada, apprenticeships and the money that pays for them, software, tools and books.
CAD
Design software, free for students and makers.
- Autodesk Fusion for educationFree for verified students and educators, renewed yearly. Personal use is free but limited to 10 editable documents and 3-axis CAM.tool · New · Free for students
- Onshape EducationFree for students and educators, in the browser. The free plan for everyone else makes your documents public.tool · New · Free
- SOLIDWORKS for MakersDesktop SOLIDWORKS with 2.5 and 3-axis CAM for non-commercial use.tool · New · US$48 a year
CAM
Turning a model into toolpaths.
Drawings and GD&T
Reading and writing what the part has to be.
- Lightmatter design guidelinesWhat we check on every model: walls, holes, threads, inside corners, pockets, reach, with the limits by material.New · Free
- Tec-Ease GD&T tipsFree tips and a GD&T hierarchy chart for the 2009 and 2018 standards.Working · Free
- ASME Y14.5-2018The North American standard for dimensioning and tolerancing, reaffirmed in 2024.Advanced · US$380
Machining
Running mills and lathes, and why parts come out the way they do.
Tooling
Cutters, speeds and feeds, and what tools cost.
- Machining Advisor ProFree speeds and feeds for Harvey Tool and Helical end mills, on web and phone.tool · Working · Free
- Sandvik Coromant knowledgeA free technical guide to metal cutting.Working · Free
- Harvey Performance: In the LoupeA deep archive on end mills, chip thinning and tool life.Working · Free
Fixturing and workholding
Holding the part so it can be cut.
- Jig and Fixture Design (5th ed.), Edward G. HoffmanThe standard textbook on workholding.book · Working
- Workholder Devices: Design and Calculations, Vukota BoljanovicIndustrial Press, 2024.book · Advanced
- Jig and Fixture Design Manual, Erik HenriksenA classic, still in print.book · Advanced
Inventory and operations
Running a shop: flow, stock and scheduling.
- Learning to See, Rother and ShookValue stream mapping. From the Lean Enterprise Institute, which also has free articles.book · Working · US$60
- It’s About Time, Rajan SuriQuick Response Manufacturing for job shops: the short one.book · Working
- The Goal, Goldratt and CoxA novel about bottlenecks that every shop owner ends up reading.book · New
- ASCM CPIMCertification in inventory and production planning.program · Advanced
- Supply Chain CanadaThe SCMP designation, and free trends reports.program · Advanced
Inspection
Measuring what you made.
Robotics and automation
Cells, cobots and controls.
Books
The ones worth owning.
- Machinery’s Handbook (32nd ed.)The reference on every machinist’s bench. Industrial Press, 2024.book · Working · US$169.95
- CNC Programming Handbook (3rd ed.), Peter SmidG-code from the ground up.book · Working · US$119.95
- Technology of Machine Tools (8th ed.), Krar, Gill and SmidThe textbook many trades programs use.book · New
- Creating and Maintaining a World-Class Machine Shop, Ed RossmanOne of the few books for machine shop owners.book · Advanced
- Math for Machinists (2nd ed.), Templeton and HuthGoodheart-Willcox, 2024.book · New
Schools across Canada
Trades, technology and engineering programs, by province.
BC
8- Northern Lights College: Welder FoundationAbout 32 weeks. Fort St. John.school · New · BC
- BCIT: Machinist FoundationCertificate, 25 weeks, with Level 1 credit. BCIT is the only public school teaching Machinist Levels 1 to 4.school · New · BC
- BCIT: CNC Machinist TechnicianDiploma with co-op, 99 weeks.school · New · BC
- BCIT: Mechanical Engineering Technology, ManufacturingTwo-year diploma, CNC and CAM.school · New · BC
- TRU: Millwright/Machinist Foundation22 weeks, Kamloops.school · New · BC
- Selkirk College: Millwright/Machinist Foundation30 to 36 weeks, Nelson.school · New · BC
- SFU: Mechatronic Systems EngineeringBASc with co-op, Surrey.school · New · BC
- UBC: Mechanical EngineeringBASc, with a mechatronics option.school · New · BC
AB
3MB
2Programs for learners
Grants, loans and apprenticeships.
- Red Seal: MachinistThe interprovincial standard. Designated in every province and territory.program · New · Canada
- SkilledTradesBC: MachinistFour levels of school and 6,330 work hours. How to find a sponsor and register.program · New · BC
- Canada Apprentice LoanUp to $4,000 per training period, interest-free while you’re training. New in 2026: a $5,000 Red Seal completion bonus (from this fall) and a $400-a-week training grant (spring 2027).grant · New · Canada
- Tools deduction for tradespeopleDeduct up to $1,000 of tools a year on your taxes.grant · Working · Canada
New to Canada
Getting credentials recognized and finding work.
- SkilledTradesBC: challenge your tradeExperienced from outside Canada? Have your hours assessed and write the certification exam.program · Working · BC
- Career Paths for Skilled ImmigrantsFree help getting back to work in your field in BC.program · Working · Free · BC
- Windmill MicrolendingLoans of $15,000 to $30,000 for credential recognition and training.grant · Working · Canada
- ISSofBCSettlement and employment help, and Hire a Newcomer for employers.program · New · Free · BC
Programs for shops
Money for hiring and training people.
- B.C. Employer Training Grant80% of training costs, up to $10,000 a person. Intake open; last year the money ran out in December.grant · Working · BC
- B.C. Youth in Manufacturing (EMC)Up to $3,500 per placement for people aged 16 to 30 at BC manufacturers. 510 placements, Sept 2026 to March 2029.grant · Working · BC
- WorkBC Wage Subsidy50% of wages up to $12.50 an hour for up to 800 hours.grant · Working · BC
- BC Training Tax Credit for employersCredits when your apprentice completes Levels 3 and 4. Runs to the end of 2027.grant · Working · BC
- Student Work Placement ProgramUp to $5,000 per student placement, renewed for three years. Delivered through partners like EMC.grant · Working · Canada
- Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit10% of an apprentice’s wages, up to $2,000 a year, for their first two years.grant · Working · Canada
Courses and programs change. Each was checked on the date we added it; tell us at quotes@rennickcnc.ca if one has moved or closed.