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Why Greenville Tech? Industrial Maintenance Technology

MECHATRONICS TECHNOLOGY

Department Head
Russ Willard
228-5026


Faculty

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Career Focus

Career Focus '08

High tech, high paying career

What is mechatronics all about? High tech problem solving. When a line is down in a plant, hundreds of thousands of dollars are at stake each hour. The Mechatronics Technician is on the job to see that doesn’t happen or if it does, that the interruption is very brief.

This makes the position a key player for the whole production operation, and because the position is so well-respected, it’s also well paid. In fact, the average starting salary is around $38,500 for Greenville Tech graduates. And the money only increases from there.

JacobMaybe you’re thinking that if salaries are so good in industry, you should forget about college, and get right to work. But you can’t earn those salaries without an associate degree. Go to work without the education and promotions will only take you so far before you hit a ceiling and your career stalls out. And that’s if you’re lucky. Some employers won’t even grant an interview to the job candidate who doesn’t have a two-year degree.

Currently, there are many openings for people with practical knowledge in the integration of electrical systems, fluid power, electronics, computer controls, PLCs, instrumentation, robotics, and information technology. One of the reasons for this critical need is that the work force is aging and experienced technicians are retiring. So a new generation of qualified people is needed to keep industry running.

How do these skilled technicians minimize downtime? They are problem solvers, people who love the variety when each day is different. They’re rarely in the office. Instead, they’re out on the manufacturing floor, making sure the process flows and nothing gets in the way.

And even though they’ve learned a lot in college including programmable logic controllers, automated technology, robotics, pneumatics and hydraulics, technicians also learn every day on the job. Technology changes rapidly, and the industry requires keeping up. That means the job is never static, but always brings new opportunities for growth.

Careers
When production workers run into problems with the machines they operate, they call mechatronics technicians with PLC experience.  These people are critical to an industry’s success because they keep automated manufacturing production lines and/or associated machinery from being idle, they ensure the quality of the finished product, and they protect the safety of those operating the machinery.  The work begins with placement and installation of new machinery.  Once the machinery is up and running, technicians must be able to detect and diagnose electrical, mechanical, electronic control problems and correct them before they become major situations.  Preventive/predictive maintenance is also important in extending a machine’s life and keeping machines in good working order.

Program 
This program prepares students to inspect, diagnose, repair, service, and install electro-mechanical equipment, automated manufacturing, and packaging machinery. It will also enable students currently employed in the field to develop Studentadditional knowledge and skills which will enhance their ability to perform duties as technicians in industrial and service organizations.

Industrial Electricity Certificate
Industrial Maintenance Technology Associate Degree
Mechatronics I - Certificate
Mechatronics II - Certificate

 

Mechatronics in the News

Greenville News - Five local tech colleges get behind mechatronics

GoUpstate.com - High-tech manufacturing training program launched

WSPA.com - Upstate Technical and Community Colleges to Offer Mechatronics Training

Links

www.TechReadySC.com

 

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