Growth in Smart Manufacturing is spearheaded by Elgin Community College with their robust Mechatronics Training programs.
Elgin Community College Leads the Charge in Smart Manufacturing Training
Elgin Community College (ECC) is at the forefront of the nationwide shift towards smart factories and automated production, making it the only community college in Northern Illinois with a smart factory for training.
The college's philosophy for the Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC) is to "skate to where the puck is going to be," as expressed by hockey great Wayne Gretzky. This forward-thinking approach is reflected in ECC's mechatronics program, which equips students with the skills needed to maintain and operate automated manufacturing systems.
The program integrates mechanical skills, electrical controls, fluid power systems, hydraulic equipment, programmable logic controllers, automation, and robotics. This comprehensive approach reflects the technological demands of modern smart factories.
Instructor Mike Marin emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience for students in the ECC mechatronics program. By providing practical experience within a cutting-edge facility, the program ensures students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills required for increasingly automated and robotic manufacturing settings.
Communication skills are also emphasized for employability in ECC's mechatronics program. Students can earn certificates in Industrial Maintenance Technology, Automated Electronic Systems, or an Associate of Applied Science in Integrated Systems Technology/Maintenance Technology.
ECC places a strong emphasis on anticipating future needs in the manufacturing industry. The college keeps pace with the rapid rate of change, adopting a philosophy of anticipating future needs. Periodically, Mike Marin meets with an advisory committee of local industry leaders to ensure classroom components mirror what employers are using.
The MTC will open in fall 2026, offering more space for modern classrooms, labs, and machinery. A new video showcasing the construction progress of the MTC can be found at elgin.edu/mtc.
The fall semester at ECC begins on August 18. For more information about the college, visit elgin.edu. The original content for this press release can be found at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-smart-manufacturing-grows-elgin-community-college-leads-with-mechatronics-training-302519183.html.
According to Cathy Taylor, PhD, dean of sustainability, business, and career technologies, there is more technology in manufacturing today than ever before, requiring a different skill set, more knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving. ECC's mechatronics program is designed to meet these demands.
Employers frequently send their workers to ECC for reskilling or upskilling in mechatronics, demonstrating the program's relevance and importance in the industry. By preparing students for successful careers and providing more opportunities to practice before entering the field, ECC's mechatronics program is a valuable asset to the manufacturing industry.
- The mechatronics program at Elgin Community College (ECC) is also focused on preparing students for the news in technology-driven sectors like finance, equipping them with the skills required to manage the automated and robotic systems in smart factories.
- To aid in their education-and-self-development, students in the ECC mechatronics program are encouraged to stay updated on the latest cloud news and technologies, as they will play a crucial role in the operation and maintenance of modern smart factories.
