High School

If you are interested in a career as a machinist, and subsequently as a layout worker, you should focus heavily on mathematics. Science classes, blueprint reading, mechanical drawing, and machine shop are also recommended.

Postsecondary Training

Most workers in this occupation are first trained and work as machinists and then are eventually promoted to the more skilled position of layout worker. In order to become a machinist, it is necessary to complete either a four- or five-year apprenticeship, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on practice, or several years of on-the-job training. To move into layout work, training in numerical control machining is particularly useful, and in some cases, required.

Certification or Licensing

There is no certification or licensing available for layout workers.

Most people enter this field after first obtaining training and experience as a machinist. In order to become a machinist, it is necessary to complete either a four- or five-year apprenticeship,

Workers in this field need to be extremely precise and to maintain a high degree of accuracy in their work. Like machinists, layout operators must have excellent manual dexterity, and good vision and hand-eye coordination. Because mistakes in layout work can lead to costly and time-consuming mistakes in machining, it is important that the layout worker be diligent, responsible, and attentive to the task at hand.