PTC Mechatronics Program Receives Trailer
March 5, 2009
Piedmont Technical College’s Mechatronics program can now hit the road to provide training for Lakelands-area industry.
In a collaborative effort with the other members of the Upstate Alliance – Greenville Tech, York Tech, Spartanburg Community College and TriCounty Tech – Piedmont Technical College’s Industrial Electronics program was expanded to include Mechatronics, a high-paying, in-demand career field that combines elements of electronics, pneumatics, hydraulics, mechanics, information technology, computers and robotics in the fall of 2008.
Funding for this change has been provided through a grant from AdvanceSC, a foundation which awards grants to support education programs related to manufacturing-based economic development efforts. “AdvanceSC is proud to serve the needs of our community and recognizes this collaboration as a necessary approach for our state to produce a skilled and proficient work force,” said Carol Burdette, AdvanceSC president.
With the funding provided by AdvanceSC, TechReadySCsm has provided PTC with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to support the new courses required by today’s advanced manufacturing sector. This equipment provides students with hands-on training opportunities in Mechatronics. PTC instructors have received training and certifications from vendors such as Festo, Kuka Robotics, Siemens and others.
“We are moving toward an automated industrial floor for training our students,” said Kevin Boiter, Industrial Electronics Technology department head and instructor. “We want to provide the best work force possible industry in our area.”
TechReadySCsm has also provided a utility trailer to transport equipment to training sites off campus. With this new mobility, PTC will be able to take these programs to worksites to train a company’s workers in the latest advanced manufacturing techniques. The trailer can also be used to take the new equipment to the high school career centers to supplement their advanced manufacturing programs.
“Piedmont Technical College is always on the forefront of providing the necessary training for our students to compete in the workforce. While we are preparing our students, we are simultaneously providing industries with qualified skilled workers,” said Keith Lasure, dean of Industrial Technology at Piedmont Technical College. “We’ll be using the lab equipment and trailer to deliver training to area industry in both curriculum and continuing education programs.”
For information on any of the Industrial Electronics Technology and Mechatronics Technology courses available, contact Boiter at (864) 941-8467 or at boiter.k@ptc.edu
Article courtesy www.gwdtoday.com
