Quality Technician Certificate of Achievement

The Certificate of Achievement Quality Technician prepares the student with skills specializing in quality control. Content includes inspection, testing, and evaluation of parts, products, equipment, and processes for adherence to specifications. Also included in this program is the programming of Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMM) and non-destructive testing (NDT).  NDT curriculum is based on the American Welding Society (AWS) standards. This program is an Society of Mechanical Engineers core competency subject and aligned with National Institute of Metalworking Standards (NIMS) certification in mechanical inspection. 

·        Evaluate product concepts in CAD software

·        Demonstrate technical skills for the evaluation of manufactured of products

·        Applying quality control concepts

·        Apply automation of inspection techniques by utilizing Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM)technology

·        Develop quality inspection plans for Industrial and manufacturing processes

Based on the COE LMI report the current capacity of the similar programs in the region are inadequate to meet the demand of the projections of 236 job openings per year over the next five years. Several courses cross over the different certificate emphasis, and the programs are complementary to both the existing engineering and modern making programs, which can benefit the enrollment of both programs. A well-rounded understanding of manufacturing processes is critical for the success of both competent engineering and industrial design thinking. We anticipate the number of students who would earn these degrees and certificates to be between 15-30 annually when compared to similar programs. 

The Certificate of Achievement Quality Technician prepares the student with skills specializing in quality control. Content includes inspection, testing, and evaluation of parts, products, equipment, and processes for adherence to specifications. Also included in this program is the programming of Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMM) and non-destructive testing (NDT).  NDT curriculum is based on the American Welding Society (AWS) standards. This program is an Society of Mechanical Engineers core competency subject and aligned with National Institute of Metalworking Standards (NIMS) certification in mechanical inspection. 

There are four stackable certificates for this degree. All five CTE programs are being developed in response to the future workforce needs of the region. The following information was obtained to support the development of the new programs, including reports from the NFNRC Center of Excellence (COE). LMI reports and regional needs were conducted by the Center of Excellence and consultation from Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Initiative (SVMI) for job titles supported by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the National Institute of Metalworking Standards (NIMS) industry certification standards. 

Example job titles include:

·        Industrial Engineering Technician

·        Manufacturing Engineering Technician

·        Manufacturing Engineer

·        Industrial Engineer

The Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies AS degree is comprised of 41 core courses and a selection of six units minimum of electives. There are four stackable certificates of achievement to this AS degree: CAD/CAM Programming, Quality Technician, Production Planning, and Manufacturing and Industrial Technology. Selection of electives will likely bedriven by the student's educational goal. 

It is important to note that some courses will be completed at sister Los Rios colleges or local colleges. This includes welding and other courses that demand an infrastructure that is not reasonable to duplicate. Additionally, the basic survey course--Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Technology--for the certificates and degree will be held at a local HS, strategically leveraging resources.