The lathe operator is certainly one of the most sought-after professionals in the engineering industry. Although technology has evolved and times have changed, the lathe (with all its modern upgrades) remains – together with the milling machine – the most widely used machine in precision engineering, whether for conventional or CNC turning.
But what does a lathe operator do? Essentially, they choose the tools and devices needed for machining, fit and check them, and set up the machines. In CNC production, the lathe operator’s job is to check that the programs installed on the machine work as intended and to step in if problems arise. They also create new programs and instruct other staff in the work needed to produce precision mechanical parts.
So what does it take to become a lathe operator and work in the turning shops of Veneto?
How to become a lathe operator
To become a lathe operator you obviously need good manual skills and precision, but that’s not enough: you need a technical or vocational secondary school diploma, or a certificate from a specific training course. However, not many young people apply to work in automatic turning shops in Veneto or elsewhere in Italy.
There is currently a big gap between supply and demand: the job doesn’t attract many young people. Very few new graduates choose this path, even though many manufacturing companies keep looking for them.