Is the Mechatronics Specialist Program Right For You?
Is CVTC’s Mechatronics Specialist (formerly named Industrial Mechanic) program right for you? Let’s take a look at what you can expect and the opportunities available to you.
You Can Succeed
If you like variety in your work, solving puzzles, and being self-directed, you can find success in CVTC’s Mechatronics Technician program.
Mechatronics Specialist graduates work in the area of maintenance related to automation, plant operations, fixing and repairing equipment, and doing preventative maintenance. Each day, each hour has a new challenge and task. Sometimes you are working on electrical problems, then mechanical, air or hydraulic problems, on small stand-alone or large machines. Mechatronics Specialist set priorities, and decides on what is the best use of their time and cost. Having flexibility and not being micro-managed is the life of a maintenance technician.
Troubleshooting automated equipment or any machine is much akin to doing puzzles. You analyze and figure out what goes where and in equipment terms, what is working and what is not, then look for what is causing the machine to not function. You apply all the courses of learning in the Mechatronics Specialist program to remedy the problem.
Opportunities Abound
People hired into industrial mechanics or mechatronics positions usually begin by performing preventative maintenance on the equipment while they work alongside the experience lead technicians. There they find ways to improve existing machines, increase production and decreases failures. As they grow in their careers they may become senior techs, maintenance leads/supervisors and are key in planning new operations or selecting new equipment. The value of their work continually increases, leading to more rewards.
Technical skills people gain from the Mechatronics Specialist program fit well in the roles of field service technicians, who travel to customer sites to assist in fixing equipment, helping with training, and making sure things run right. Mechatronics Specialist program graduates with some sales skills can find great opportunities as well. Industrial equipment and supplies is a huge marketplace and manufacturers depends on new parts and supplies to keep the production line running. These salespeople know how things work and what would make them better. Technical sales built first on technical skills gained through the Mechatronics Specialist program is a great career.
You’ll Be in Demand
The high need for industrial mechanics in manufacturing settings throughout the Chippewa Valley and beyond has made CVTC program graduates highly sought-after.
“Students coming out of CVTC are very well rounded, with a lot of knowledge in all areas, and not too specialized,” said Kevin Nolan, human resources manager at Cardinal FG, the glass plant in Menomonie. “That works well for us at Cardinal FG because our guys work on everything. The graduates’ communication skills are part of their well-rounded background. The instructors do a tremendous job preparing the students for the real world.”
Distribution centers like those of Menards, Walmart, and Fleet Farm in the area have yet to fill their needs. A single distribution center will handle the merchandise for 100-150 stores each day. Manufacturers like Golden Plump, Nestle, Bush Beans and 3M have continued to hire CVTC graduates to keep their operations running.
Ready to Get Started at CVTC? Apply online or call 715-833-6300 with questions.
