Foundations (Weeks 1–12)
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Safety certification, shop mathematics, precision measurement fundamentals, basic machine operation workflows, and CNC safety protocols.
Apprentice Track
Program philosophy — "Engineer talent, don't just train hands"
(Palmer Luckey persona, adapted for Sub Sea Craft.) Build a production-grade apprenticeship: short iterative sprints, measurable KPIs, mentorship paired with production work, and direct pipelines into manufacturing lines.
Duration
18 months (modular)
Program structure (compact)
Core Competency Sprints (Months 3–9)
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4–6 week focused sprints covering: Advanced G-code Programming, Precision Fixturing Systems, CAM Software Mastery, Systematic Troubleshooting, and Advanced Materials Processing.
Mentor Apprenticeship (Months 9–14)
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Paired production shifts with senior machinists, hands-on learning during live manufacturing runs, plus reverse-teaching sessions where apprentices explain concepts to reinforce understanding.
Specialization (Months 14–16)
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Choose specialized track: Operator (production focus), Maintainer (systems/repair focus), or Crew (leadership/optimization focus).
Capstone & Certification (Months 17–18)
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Complete end-to-end manufacturing project, comprehensive portfolio review, industry certifications (NIMS), and final competency validation for MARS & VIKTA component production.
Assessments & gates
Frequent low-stakes checks + medium-stakes practicals. Binary gates with targeted remediation: pass → advance; fail → focused mentor-led remedy.
| Gate | Criteria | Remediation |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | Safety cert, basic G-code, measurement ±0.005" | 2-week refresh + re-eval |
| Sprint Exit | First-pass success ≥90% | Focused lab hours + extra runs |
| Mentor Sign-off | Supervisor evaluation on live job | Extended pairing + performance plan |
| Capstone | Portfolio + practical exam + NIMS/industry certs | Project redo + oral defense |
Role tracks (Operator / Maintainer / Crew)
Operator Track
Focus: Production-ready CNC operations for MARS & VIKTA components
Core Skills: CAM programming, advanced G-code optimization, precision fixturing systems, and quality control protocols
Outcome: Certified operators capable of manufacturing complex maritime defense components to ±0.0005" tolerances
Maintainer Track
Focus: Systems diagnostics and equipment reliability
Core Skills: Spindle rebuilds, PLC programming, servo tuning, and predictive maintenance protocols
Outcome: Technical specialists ensuring 98%+ machine uptime for critical defense manufacturing
Crew Track
Focus: Manufacturing leadership and continuous improvement
Core Skills: Process optimization, Lean manufacturing, team mentoring, and quality assurance systems
Outcome: Production leaders driving operational excellence and developing next-generation talent
Metrics I would obsess over
Key Performance Indicators
≥95%
First-pass yield
≤4 hrs
MTTR
≥90%
Certification Rate
≥95%
SSC Placement
Mentorship & staffing model
1:4 Mentor Model
Ratio: 1:4 mentor to apprentice ratio ensures personalized development
Compensation: Mentors receive training time compensation plus small production credits per mentoring hour
Calibration: Weekly mentor meetings ensure consistent grading standards and curriculum alignment
Accountability: Structured feedback loops tie mentor performance to apprentice success metrics
Technology & instrumentation
Advanced Manufacturing Stack
Software: Mastercam & Fusion 360 for CAM programming, advanced toolpath strategies
Metrology: CMM systems, laser alignment tools for precision measurement and calibration
Data Analytics: Real-time capture of cycle times and scrap rates feeding lightweight dashboard
Continuous Improvement: 90-day curriculum optimization cycles based on production data analytics