Career advice

GDT certification through ASME is a good thing to have. How about just a GDT class if nothing else.

Spend as much time as you can writing CMM programs. And learn to duplicate CMM results with manual methods. Be able to back up what the robot produces.
Do it on your own time if possible.

I have always done this. I was once "awarded" with a written warning (union shop) for working on my off hours on company projects.
It will pay off in the long run. I now spend my time writing programs and sitting in planning meetings and "advising".
I also have benefited from this in other ways.
I purchased my own off-line seat of PC-DMIS and have an independent business writing PC-DMIS programs at home for various small machine shops. I know. This sounds crazy right? Its not. I was able to make back my investment in less than 1 year. You can spend your money on a fancy new car, or motorcycle, or whatever, or you can invest in your future. If this stuff is what you like to do, then do it.

I guess what I am trying to get across here is that you can control what you do. You shouldn't wait for some company to "give" you training. Go get it yourself. Its not magic. Its just knowledge.
And don't be afraid to experiment. Just be careful. Don't break anything.

Become familiar with manually laying out parts on the surface plate using normal shop tools. Study GDT, familiarize yourself using CAD. Search forum for solutions to questions. Good luck.

get a hobby that you can take your frustations out on.....i golf and after a day of programming hitting a golf ball as hard as you can relieves alot of stress.....and start drinking to excess

Excellent Question Frazz

This is a really good question. The fact that there is no true certification for CMM users/operators (beyond OEM training) is a big drawback to both user's professional careers and employers alike. There is a program being undertaken by the Coordinate Metrology Society that is attempting to address this by developing a certification program. It's more focused on the portable end of things at the moment, but I could easily see it broadening to DCC machines as the value in it is seen. Al Metzel from NGC is giving a talk about it a the Hexagon 2011 conference. Here's the abstract:

Title: Taming the Wild World of Portable CMMs
Session ID 8109

Abstract: With the advent of Portable Coordinate Measuring Machines (PCMMs) such diverse fields as manufacturing, civil engineering, archaeology and forensics have added them to their toolbox and the number of operators has grown exponentially. There are two major ongoing efforts which will impact PCMM usage in the coming years.
Operator certification has been a legitimate, lingering concern among professionals for over a decade, and since 2008, at industry request, a subcommittee of the Coordinate Metrology Society has been developing a proposal for an accredited certification program.
Likewise, there are no independent equipment standards for most non-contact PCMMS. ASTM Committee E57, formed in 2006, to develop standards to addressing issues related to 3D imaging systems, such as laser scanners and optical range cameras.
It is the intent of this presentation to inform the attendees of the background, history, and progress of this undertaking, as well as receive input from the attendees.
Customer Speaker: Alan Metzel Quality Engineer, Northrop Grumman
Sub-Track: Metrology - Trends
Track: Metrology @ Hexagon 2011
Length: 30 minutes

If you have one of the Brown & Sharp demo blocks and the corresponding CAD file, read the tutorials in the help file and go for it. Learn by doing.

Books !!!get all the literature posible ,"The CMM Handbook" it's a nice start

Ya know there was some talk at NACMA about the need/desire for a certified CMM programmer, and the associated levels/bodies of knowledge. I think it would be a good thing, some do not. Who knows, maybe one day we can get a cert, that would prove our competence to anyone who was curious. I for one like that idea a lot.

Any way I suggest you go into farming, ranching, OTR truck driving, Child Care, basically something that can make you happy.

Ya know there was some talk at NACMA about the need/desire for a certified CMM programmer, and the associated levels/bodies of knowledge. I think it would be a good thing, some do not. Who knows, maybe one day we can get a cert, that would prove our competence to anyone who was curious. I for one like that idea a lot.

Any way I suggest you go into farming, ranching, OTR truck driving, Child Care, basically something that can make you happy.

CMMs make me happy

Learn to chanel blame in others direction without detection.It will win you many friends in management and advance you to places beyond your wildest dreams.