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KVCC Sets Open House For Mechatronic Systems Technician Academy

OSHTEMO -- The Groves Center at Kalamazoo Valley Community College has developed its next fast track career academy, adding to its line-up of hands on technical training programs.

The 20-week, accelerated Mechatronic Systems Technician Academy provides the opportunity for students to gain skills needed to work on industrial robots, automated equipment found in retail, manufacturing and entertainment sectors and other technologically advanced systems.

The Academy's first session begins on April 1. For those who would like to learn more about this new career training option, an open house will be held for the Academy from 1 to 6 p.m. on March 22.

The course of study is guided by area employers who support student learning through facilitation of tours and field work experience. Classes will be held at KVCC's Groves Center.

"The skill sets employers demand transcends a traditional approach to technical education," said Cindy Buckley, executive director of training for KVCC. "A mechanical specialist or an electrician is seldom able to solve the problems which arise on automated equipment without crossing over into areas we used to consider separate occupations. We call the technicians with the combined skills and capabilities Mechatronic Systems Technicians."

The program will accept only 14 trainees into the 20-week, full time, competency-based training program. The small class size in necessary to assure maximum opportunities to learn by doing.

"A new trade is emerging in response to technological changes that have fundamentally altered the way we interact with machines," Buckley said. "This program will focus on fundamental knowledge of electricity, computers, mechanical fundamentals and automation so that our graduates can perform work, day one in their new careers and more importantly, in their futures."

Modules of study in this academy include Fundamentals of Electricity, Mechanical Systems, Integrated Information Technologies and Automated Control Systems. These modules are taught in context of their relationships to one another, with a strong emphasis on diagnosis of faults and troubleshooting.

The academy is one of several training programs housed at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Groves Center. The Groves Campus, located eight miles southwest of downtown Kalamazoo, is one of three campuses associated with Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

For more information or to apply call (269) 353-1286, email careeracademies@kvcc.edu or go to www.kvccgrovescenter.com/career/msta.

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