In today's economy it is wise to think outside the traditional box. A good example of this is training for one of the EDM jobs that manufacturers are having a difficult time filling.

There is nearly always a lack of skilled help in electrical discharge machining, or EDM. Also, the related fields, such as EDM supplies and sales and service, are interesting and possibly profitable areas.

One reason there is a chronic lack of skilled help is because there are so few schools that offer training in the use of the EDM machine. This is typical of the lack of interest in manufacturing in the US. It is not nearly so glamorous as a so-called professional job.

With the decline of injection mold making and tool and die making in the US, this disinterest has increased, making the problem worse. If many companies go out of business, it leaves more work for the remaining companies still standing. When the economy picks up, the orders increase and suddenly, there is not enough skilled help to do the job.

Some of the other related EDM jobs are high speed milling, mold repair, micro welding, laser welding, WEDM (wire EDM), mold designer, tool and die designer, CAD/CAM programmer, precision surface grinding, and mold polishing.

Most EDM operators have at least been partially trained in many of these disciplines, usually as part of an apprenticeship program. This is very helpful for job security and getting the job in the first place. The more well-rounded your skills are, the more beneficial you can be to a company.

Some areas have good technical colleges or community colleges that offer tool and die programs. These are often 2 years associate degree courses that almost guarantee employment after graduation. It is not uncommon to have a 95% placement rate.

As the pool of skilled help ages, the need for new mold makers, precision machinists and tool and die makers will become critical. Very few companies are able or willing to take on and train apprentices nowadays.

Some of the EDM supplies that are required include the precision tooling used in the EDM machine. The electrode holders, automatic tool changers, pallet changers, dielectric fluid and EDM filters all play an essential part in the overall process.

Some companies, such as System 3R and Erowa, have complete lines of EDM tooling. This can be a very lucrative sales position, if you can land the job! A background in tool making is a real plus because you can obviously talk the talk and at least partially walk the walk!

EDM machine sales is another huge industry, with great potential. The ambitious tool maker who desires more than working 10 hour days in the shop is in a great position to advance into the sales and service area.

Because of the tool making background, you can relate to the high speed milling machines, carbide cutters, micro welder, laser welder, wire EDM machine and the entire process.