More than just a new name
Randolph Community College is changing its Industrial Systems Technology Program to Automation Engineering Technology this coming fall semester to be more in-line with what industries are demanding of their workforces. The good news? The College's PLC lab is already fully stocked with the latest equipment.
RCC changes program to Automation Engineering Technology
Industry is ever-changing, which means Randolph Community College’s Industrial Programs Department Head Wesley Moore has to stay one step ahead to ensure the programs’ graduates have the skills they need to enter the workforce. The latest step is changing the College’s Industrial Systems Technology Program to Automation Engineering Technology this coming fall semester to be more in-line with what industries are demanding of their workforces.For Moore, the change goes beyond semantics — it means more RCC students will graduate with the skills needed for today’s — and tomorrow’s — jobs.
“We’re not trying to teach an engineer how to build an electric motor — that’s already done,” he said. “We’re teaching the technical skills needed to develop, install, calibrate, modify, and maintain automated machines.”
“There’s money to be made, and you can work in almost any industry — a modern sawmill, a manufacturing plant, a packaging facility, or a cake factory. That’s the beauty — there are no boundaries,” Moore said.
Graduates from the program will be prepared to work in industries that utilize control systems, computer hardware and software, electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical devices in their automated systems. The job opportunities include Maintenance Technician, Automation Technician, Automation Engineer, Engineering Specialist, Engineering Technician, and Reliability Technician.
The even better news? All of the technology needed for the AET program is already at RCC, including Epson SCARA robots, cages and conveyors for the Advanced Manufacturing Center and three FANUC mobile robots.