About us

CNC Technical Solutions (CNCTS) is Western New York’s premier hands-on industrial training center dedicated to closing the electrical and automation skills gap facing modern manufacturing.
Located in Medina, NY, CNCTS develops technically confident, diagnostically capable maintenance professionals who keep production running in high-performance manufacturing environments.

​Our Mission
Manufacturing today depends on electrical reliability, automation stability, and advanced controls integration. Yet many facilities struggle with recurring downtime, inconsistent troubleshooting practices, and a shrinking pool of skilled technical talent. CNCTS exists to solve that problem.

We deliver structured, lab-driven training programs focused on:
• Industrial electrical systems
• PLC programming and troubleshooting
• Motor controls and VFD systems
• Industrial automation fundamentals
• Advanced troubleshooting methodology
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Every course is built around real-world failure scenarios, drive failures, grounding faults, intermittent electrical issues, logic errors, and production-stopping control failures. Participants train on live industrial equipment deployed through our patented scaled training system simulators, engineered to replicate real plant conditions and accelerate skill development.

Built for Manufacturers, Not Academia
CNCTS is not a traditional classroom model. We are a performance-driven technical training center designed around plant realities:
• Shift-based operations
• Limited downtime windows
• Mixed-skill maintenance teams
• Legacy equipment integrated with modern automation
• Pressure to increase uptime without increasing headcount
Technicians leave with structured diagnostic frameworks, deeper system understanding, and the confidence to restore production quickly and safely.

Workforce Development & Industry Partnership
CNCTS partners with regional manufacturers, workforce development boards, and educational institutions to build scalable, demand-driven training pathways. Whether upskilling incumbent workers or developing entry-level technicians, our programs align directly with plant performance goals.
As a proud partner of the Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance, CNCTS is committed to strengthening Western New York manufacturing by developing the technical workforce required to compete in advanced production environments.

Measurable Impact
Manufacturers engage CNCTS to achieve:
• Reduced unplanned downtime
• Faster fault isolation
• Improved electrical safety performance
• Stronger internal troubleshooting capability
• Increased technician retention
• Greater operational stability
Our goal is simple: build maintenance teams that protect production.

The CNCTS Difference
  • Hands-on, live industrial systems
  • Real-world failure simulation
  • Structured troubleshooting methodology
  • Industry-standard PLC platforms
  • Training aligned with modern manufacturing demands

If your operation depends on electrical reliability, automation performance, and technically capable maintenance personnel, CNCTS delivers the structured workforce development solution you need.
 
 
 Video Tour With Our Founder & CEO ​


CNC Technical Solutions History

​The company was founded by John A. Nappa in 2001 under the name CNC Engineering Solutions. CNCES as it was known then primarily focused on Controls Engineering Support Services and Applications Specific Technical Training which Mr. Nappa has a passion for. He has in fact spent his entire career which spans some thirty years working as a Controls System Engineer and as a Technical Instructor for major companies, such as Gleason Works in Rochester NY, American Axle in Buffalo NY and of course CNC Technical Solutions. 

  It’s during this period and with these companies that he had the ability to travel the manufacturing sector both domestically and Internationally, and had the privileged opportunity to get an almost global snap shot of manufacturing in multiple sectors including Automotive, Aerospace, Medical and the Food industry to name a few.   

 What he took from those experiences was clear, the manufacturing industry as a whole was evolving and the use of high tech machinery was exploding but the common problem that he continually heard when he talked to plant management was simple…. they had a lack of professionally trained and technically proficient staff. Bar none everybody seemed to have the same problem and there was a just an obvious lack of skilled labor available. What he was seeing is what’s now being referred to as a “The National Skills Gap”.  
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 Based on those experiences in July of 2007 Mr. Nappa changed the company’s direction and Incorporated it.  The newly incorporated company was now known as CNC Technical Solutions Inc or CNCTS.  As CNCTS he shifted the company’s focus and designed a method of training that produced very effective debug and analysis technicians. Over the years the programs have evolved into the world class high level technical training programs that the company follows today.

Meet a few of the companies we provide training to...
General Motors,  Ford,  American Axle,  Perry's Ice cream, Associated Brands,  Bonduelle,  Chassix,  Liberty Pump, Rosina Foods,  High Tech Rochester,  PKG Equipment, Institute for Career Development,  Upstate Niagara Coop, Aurubis,  NFTA,  MacLean Curtis,  Welded Tube,  Thomsonlinear,  ModPac,  GCC,  Allied Frozen,  D&P Electrical Services,  FreezeDry Corp,  KM Davies, Baker Tool&Die,  Lactalis Sorrento,  ECC,  Rolite,  IIMAK, Drasgow,  Derrick Corp.,  Baker Tool,  API Heat Transfer,  Allied Frozen,  Quaker Mueller,  O-AT-KA Milk,  Multisorb, Accellent,  KM Davies,  Yancey's Fancy and many many more!



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​CNC Technical Solutions is a think tank group of Engineers, Technicians and Technical Writers
dedicated to delivering World Class Technical Training to the Automotive, Medical, Food and Aerospace Industries, as well as private individuals.

​Who are our students?
From incumbent workers, to the unemployed and underemployed to returning veterans, CNCTS has extensive experience training a wide variety of people in a variety of sectors.
​Why should you attend our training?
CNCTS is a recognized Engineering and Technical Training Provider to the Automotive, Aerospace, Food & Medical Industries. We offer our students the unique opportunity to be trained by real World Engineers & Technicians that are active in their field.
The coursework you'll experience has been designed by our most experienced Engineers and Technicians for people who need to attain and or increase real world skills to make themselves more effective and marketable in today’s competitive job market.
This training approach gives our students a distinct advantage over students in the theoretical world of academia alone.

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What does this mean to you ?
When you complete our training you walk away with highly desirable and sought after skills that can make all the difference landing and keeping that job!
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Affiliations and Partner Companies
Erie Community College  - Work Force Development
Niagara Community College  - Work Force Development 
​Genesee  Community College - Work Force Development
Next Corp, Formerly High Tech Rochester
Workforce Development Institute
Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association.
Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing  Alliance
Orleans County Job Development Agency
Veterans Administration
NYS Depart Of Labor

Our Team

John A. Nappa
Founder, President & CEO
Mr. Nappa is the Company Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Design Engineer for CNC Technical Solutions Inc.   Previously, he was the CNC Electrical Engineer for the American Axle & Manufacturing Corporation and Manager of the Buffalo Divisions Training Center. Mr. Nappa has over 30 years of experience with (CNC) Computer Numerical Control Systems and (PLC) Programmable Logic Control Systems design and has an extensive background in high level system debug.  In 2017  he was awarded a patent pending on his latest design which is a Miniaturized Factory Mechatronic simulation system being used in the company's  Phase 3 training program.
James Vohwinkel
​Director of Training
Mr. Vohwinkel is the  Director of Training for CNCTS.  He has been heavily involved in every design aspect of our multi faceted mechantronics programs. He has over 40 years of experience in CNC & PLC controls systems, Industrial Electronics and has extensive experience as a technical writer. 
Teresa Nappa
​Office Manager 
Teresa responsibilities include day to day operations of the business including all AP,  AR and HR responsibilities. 
CNCTS Office  & Facilities Staff
CNCTS Instructors
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