As we look ahead to the future of Coastal Machine & Supply and scaling alongside our customers, we are investing in manufacturing workforce development to support this growth.
This approach ensures we are developing the next generation of manufacturing professionals to continue to support our customers and their complex components.
To do this, we created an internship program, enabling students to build hands-on manufacturing skills and technical expertise to support our customers and their future needs.
Developing Future Manufacturing Professionals
The journey begins during Coastal’s annual Manufacturing Day Tour, where we invite high school juniors into the shop to learn about modern manufacturing firsthand. Students explore the shop floor and observe advanced machining operations, gaining exposure to the variety of careers within the industry.
When selecting interns, we look for students with a good attitude and willingness to learn, aligning with our culture at Coastal. These qualities provide a strong foundation for long-term success in manufacturing.
During a paid, school-year-long internship, students build valuable skills through:
- On-the-job training
- Mentorship from experienced machinists
- Exposure to a professional workplace
This experience gives students a head start, allowing them to develop the technical and professional skills needed to work on real manufacturing projects that support our customers.
Learning Through Real-World Applications
One of the most valuable aspects of the internship program is the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work.
Students gain firsthand exposure to how precision-machined components are produced and how those parts support real-world applications. At Coastal, we manufacture components for critical applications, including oil and gas, space, and aerospace and defense.
Seeing how their work contributes to these industries helps students understand the value of manufacturing and the meaningful role they can play in the field.
Real Impact
We are already seeing the impact of the internship program.
Our first intern successfully completed the program and has since joined Coastal as a full-time employee. Today, he contributes directly to the production efforts that serve our customers.
His growth demonstrates the value of providing students with meaningful opportunities to develop practical manufacturing skills. In addition to professional development, participants gain experience in:
- Responsibility and accountability
- Professional communication and teamwork
- Precision machining processes
- Working with a variety of materials and components
Supporting Coastal’s Long-Term Growth
As Coastal and the manufacturing industry continue to expand, workforce development and recruiting the next generation of machinists are essential to sustaining long-term capacity and capability.
Like many manufacturers, we recognize that it’s not easy to find experienced manufacturing talent. Developing new talent helps create a pipeline of skilled employees while also supporting our goal of promoting from within.
We believe the experience gained by our machinists positions them well for advancement into leadership, planning, engineering, and other critical roles at our shop. And this approach helps make that progression possible.
For our customers, this investment supports workforce continuity, long-term capacity, scalability, and consistent quality.
And introducing young people to our industry helps strengthen the future of manufacturing. By exposing students to advanced machining technology and meaningful career opportunities, we are helping build the next generation of skilled manufacturing professionals.
Investing in the Future of Manufacturing
As Coastal continues to grow, we plan to expand our internship program and create even more opportunities for students interested in manufacturing careers. Our ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of manufacturing talent is helping solidify the expertise and capacity needed to support critical industries well into the future.
To work with a future-focused precision machine shop, request a quote from Coastal Machine & Supply today.