In the Automation Foundations Certificate at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing or Winona, you’ll learn the fundamentals of working with complex equipment and become prepared to begin a career in this exciting, growing field.
Career Area: Engineering, Manufacturing & Trades
Program: Mechatronics Technology
Campus(es): Winona/Red Wing
Major Details
The certificate in Automation Foundations is the beginning of an exciting career path in Mechatronics. As an automation technician, you will maintain computer-controlled, automated systems that are designed to remove humans from the manufacturing process, such as in robotic assembly, food processing, and other industrial applications.
Your responsibilities as an automation technician will include checking these systems and diagnosing and isolating problems by performing tests, then repairing or replacing parts. Other duties include installing upgrades and modifications as needed.
Staying current with cutting-edge technologies will be critical to your career and allow you to provide insight to your employer in maintaining advanced manufacturing equipment and improving it wherever possible.
See your future in mechatronics! Apply now for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast
Courses
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Total Credits Required for this Major: 11
Cost
| Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $2,575 |
|---|---|
| Minimum Tool Cost: | N/A |
| Books/Supplies: | N/A |
| Estimated Total: | $2,575 |
Career Opportunities
Automation Technicians
Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.
Outcomes
Drawing Ladder Diagrams
Building Industrial Control Circuits
Apply Motor Protection to a Three Phase Motor
Calculate circuit values using Ohm’s Law
Calculate circuit values using Power formulas 6.
Analyze Ladder Logic
Write PLC programs
Highlights
Internships
Multidisciplinary skills
Many jobs available
Good paying jobs
Instructors
Andy George
Andy George began teaching at Minnesota State College Southeast when the Mechatronics program was launched in 2020. Previously, he taught in the Mechatronics /Electromechanical/Automation field at Western Technical College in La Crosse since 2011. Before becoming an instructor, Andy was an electromechanical technician in Machine Build at Hutchinson Technology in Eau Claire, WI. Andy holds an AAS in Electromechanical Technology from Western Technical College and a BS in Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Christopher Schwertel
Chris Schwertel has more than 15 years of workforce experience in production facilities, maintaining state of the art equipment concerning a wide range of pneumatics, hydraulics, PLC programming, electrical, motors, drives, coolant systems, robotics, and more. He graduated with high honors from Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse in 2020, majoring in Electromechanical Technology.