Noah Stoner Found his Groove in Machinist & CNC Manufacturing Program
For many high school students, the “standard” path after graduation of enrolling in a four-year college feels like the only option. But for Noah Stoner, a graduate of Boardman High School, that path just didn’t feel like his “jam.”
Noah recently sat down with us to share his story of how he traded a traditional classroom for the machine shop, and how the Machinist CNC Operator program at New Castle School of Trades (NCST) gave him the career path he was looking for.
Finding the Right Fit
Like many of our students, Noah found that the structure of high school was okay, but the subject matter often felt disconnected from what he actually wanted to do with his life. After realizing that a traditional college scene wasn’t for him, he started looking for an alternative where he could work with his hands and build a real-world career.
“I figured out that college was not my scene,” Noah explained. “I was like, ‘well let me try a trade school.’ I figured out I wanted to do machining, and NCST is actually one of the only trade schools around here that actually offers the program.”
No Fluff, Just Real Trade Skills
One of the biggest draws for Noah was the specialized nature of the curriculum. At NCST, we believe in the “Five A’s, “Attitude, Attendance, Appearance, Academics, and Accountability, but New Castle School of Trades also believes in focused training.
“It’s all dedicated to the one trade,” Noah said. “You don’t have to learn social studies to know how to run a machine!”
That’s the core of the NCST experience: 100% focus on the skills you need to get hired. In our Machinist & CNC Manufacturing program, students spend their time in the lab, working with the same industry-standard equipment they’ll use on the job. That includes everything from manual lathes and mills to advanced 3D design and CNC programming.
Support from Day One to Graduation
Starting a new training program can be intimidating, but Noah found that the support system at New Castle School of Trades made the transition easy. From the moment a student walks through the doors, our team is there to walk them through the programs and help them find the right fit for their goals.
But the support doesn’t end in the classroom. As Noah approached graduation, he utilized NCST’s job placement assistance to help bridge the gap between training and the workforce.
“As you get closer to graduation, they’ll even help you look for a job,” Noah noted. “It’s definitely nice to know that after this program, you have a skill set that a lot of people want, but very few people actually know how to do.”
Master Machinist Skills to Build a Future with Precision
Noah’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to follow the crowd to find success. In the world of skilled trades, your value is measured by what you can build, fix, and create. By choosing NCST, Noah didn’t just get a certificate; he gained a high-demand skill set in a field where precision is everything.
In 2026, fewer people have the technical “know-how” to program and operate CNC machinery. Now, Noah is part of that specialized group, ready to step onto the shop floor with confidence.
Ready to get your hands on the gear? If you’re tired of the “fluff” and ready to master a trade that keeps the world moving, our Machinist & CNC Manufacturing program can get you job-ready in as little as 44 weeks.