Onboarding plan

Metal Model Maker Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)

A practical, printable plan to take a new metal model maker from first day to full productivity.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Metal Model Maker onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

  • Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
  • Verify required credentials: NIMS machining credentials, CAD certificate (as applicable)
  • Prepare equipment and access: CNC mills and lathes; 3D printers; CAD software; micrometers
  • Assign a buddy or preceptor
  • Enroll the new hire in Metal Model Maker training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

  • Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
  • Follow machine safety
  • Ventilate 3D printers
  • Wear eye protection
  • Use guards
  • Shadow an experienced metal model maker through a full shift
  • Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

  • Supervised practice: turn a CAD model into a prototype part
  • Supervised practice: decide between machining and 3d printing
  • Supervised practice: give engineers useful prototype feedback
  • Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
  • 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

  • Read drawings and CAD: independently
  • Machine prototype parts: independently
  • 3D print parts: independently
  • Fabricate assemblies: independently
  • Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
  • Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
  • 60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

  • Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
  • Begin cross-training on a secondary task
  • Agree on a credential goal (for example, NIMS machining credentials)
  • Discuss the career path: Machinist → Model Maker → Senior Model Maker
  • 90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or taskTrainedObservedSigned off
Turn a CAD Model into a Prototype Part
Decide Between Machining and 3D Printing
Give Engineers Useful Prototype Feedback
Machining
CAD reading
3D printing
Fabrication

How to measure onboarding success

  • Time to independent work orders
  • Comeback, rework or scrap rate
  • Billable or productive hours versus target
  • 90-day retention

How Metal Model Maker training maps to this plan

  1. Introduction to the Metal Model Maker Role
  2. A Day on the Job
  3. Essential Metal Model Maker Vocabulary
  4. Core Duties and Responsibilities
  5. Common Tasks, Step by Step
  6. Tools, Equipment and Technology
  7. Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
  8. Skills Employers Look For
  9. Launching Your Metal Model Maker Career
  10. Final Knowledge Check
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