The Automation Certificate prepares students for technical jobs in the manufacturing industry. Today’s manufacturing companies look to automated equipment to increase quality and productivity. This certificate focuses on electronics, motor controls, programmable logic controllers, sensors, and robotics. The Automation Certificate is designed to assist local manufacturing companies with their automation training needs as well as any students interested in industrial automation. Courses in this program emphasize hands-on training on industrial automated equipment. Courses with a “MECH” prefix in the Automation Certificate offer scheduling flexibility where students work at their own pace; allowing motivated individuals or those with prior knowledge to complete courses in a shorter time. MECH courses meet within an open or flex lab setting. Students working on an Automation Certificate are responsible for managing their own learning. The Mechatronics Flex Labs have extended hours for students to practice and develop hands-on skills. Faculty in the Mechatronics Program are available during Flex Lab times to assist learners with questions, supervise hands-on labs, and to administer skills assessments. Students receive credit for a course by demonstrated mastery of learner outcomes in a final skills assessment. Student who have not met assessment criteria are given feedback and continue to practice skills. Students can re-take the final skills assessment up to three times.
Program Accreditation
Northland Community & Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Program Learner Outcomes
- Student will wear appropriate personal protective equipment for a given task.
- Student will follow the standards for lockout-tagout when working on industrial equipment.
- Student will use an electronic multi-meter to monitor voltage, current, and resistance in troubleshooting control systems.
- Student will be able to specify and troubleshoot circuits used for control of electric motors.
- Student will troubleshoot and replace industrial sensors.
- Student will proficiently troubleshoot, integrate, and program Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems.
- Student will program and control industrial robots using a teach pendant.