Maintenance Technician Certificate

The Maintenance Technician certificate introduces the student to basic electrical and mechanical components used in basic manufacturing systems. Topics covered include functional descriptions, physical properties and operation of electrical and mechanical components and devices. Industrial components and preventative maintenance requirements are also investigated. Students receive hands-on practical experience in the use and application of basic electrical instruments and mechanical measuring devices. An emphasis is placed on safe work habits and procedures, systematic preventive maintenance, localization and correction of malfunctions, and troubleshooting techniques.

Students completing this certificate will be able to describe and apply current safety rules and regulations while working on various manufacturing systems and machinery. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of the physical operation of electro-mechanical components such as AC and DC motors, solenoids, relays and various sensors used in basic manufacturing systems.  Finally, students will be able to describe and perform troubleshooting, preventative maintenance and documentation methods associated with the upkeep of basic manufacturing systems such as pumps, motors, conveyors, lifts, and similar machinery.

Career opportunities for those obtaining this certificate include maintenance technician, service technician, facility technician, maintenance mechanic, or repair technician.

In the first year (2020-2021), 24 students are projected to earn the certificate.  By the second year ad each year thereafter, 48 students are projected to earn the certificate.

The goal of the Maintenance Technician certificate is to provide students an opportunity to secure high wage employment in local industries.  The Maintenance Technician certification program provides an introduction to industrial maintenance including mechanical power systems, electrical systems, and fluid power systems.  The program involves a significant amount of hands-on projects and lab work. Students who complete this program will have a good understanding of how to safely work in an industrial setting, perform maintenance of industrial systems that include motors, gearboxes, conveyors, pumps, bearings, pneumatics, hydraulics, and the associated electrical systems for them.  Troubleshooting and preventative maintenance will also be taught. Industry is relying more heavily on machinery to manufacture, process, and package consumer goods and products. Developing a well trained workforce is critical to these industries.

One of the main goals of the California Strong Workforce/Doing What Matters for Jobs™ program is to train students in jobs related to Advanced Manufacturing.  This certificate is a direct response to that objective. Students will receive hands on training using multiple high tech tools in an environment that encourages both soft skill development and technical competency.

The Maintenance Technician Certificate program has three major goals and objectives for the student.  The first is that the students will be able to describe and apply current safety rules and regulations while working on various manufacturing systems and machinery.  Students will be able to ensure the safety of their workplace by following the standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Hazards Administration (OSHA) and the National Electricians Code (NEC).  Secondly, students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical operation of electro-mechanical components such as AC and DC motors, solenoids, relays and various sensors used in basic manufacturing systems. Thirdly, students will be able to describe and perform troubleshooting, preventative maintenance and documentation methods associated with the upkeep of basic manufacturing systems such as pumps, motors, conveyors, lifts, and similar machinery.

The Maintenance Technician Certificate program supports the mission of the college in that it will provide state of the art career technical education that is in response to local community and industry needs.  Students completing the program will have an opportunity to earn a high wage in a industry that is in need of a strong and talented workforce. In the attached Labor Market Information report, there is an employment gap of 795 students in our local area, 5,131 students in the North Bay region.  This need is apparent by the number of industry requests for potential graduates and interns being received on a weekly basis to the CTE department and the college’s internship and career center.

Students graduating with an Maintenance Technician Certificate will have the opportunity to gain employment as a maintenance technician, service technician, facility technician, maintenance mechanic, or repair technician.  The median hourly wage for these jobs is just over $20 per hour.

It is worth noting that this program will be offered in conjunction with (ie: stackable certificate) or in the place of the existing Mechatronics degree/certificate program, which is a 39 unit certificate/degree program.  The Maintenance Technician Certificate is intended to allow a student to complete a program in a shorter amount of time that is focused on developing skills specific to the field of maintenance, and have the option to continue to take additional classes for the Mechatronics certificate/degree.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
IT 101	Intro to Mechatronics	3	S1
IT 151	Vocational Math	3	S1
MT 130	Mechanical Power Systems	3	S2
MT 132	Fluid Power Systems	3	S2
MT 140	Industrial Electricity	3	S1
MT 142	Electrical Machinery	3	S2

IT 101:  Introduction to Mechatronics

Units: 3

Pre-requisites: SCC minimum English and Math Standards

Course Description: Provides an understanding of how mechatronic technology in our lives works using only basic science and math concepts.  This course explores basic mechatronic systems commonly found in industry and focuses on their principles of operation, histories, and relationships to one another.  Topics will include an exploration of and science behind basic mechanics, fluid power, electrical power, and control systems. Students will learn about these mechatronic technologies through lecture, classroom discussion, and laboratory experiments and projects.

IT 151:  Vocational Math

Units: 3

Pre-requisites: SCC minimum English and Math Standards

Course Description: Focuses on mathematical functions, plane and solid geometry, measurement systems, algebra, and trigonometry applied to specific vocational areas.

MT 130:  Mechanical Power Systems

Units: 3

Pre-requisites: SCC minimum English and Math Standards

Course Description: Introduces the topic of mechanical power systems and mechanical power transmission as it applies to mechatronics. Studies include mechanical theory, mechanical power, thermal systems, hand tools, precision measuring instruments, and mathematics applied to mechanical power systems. Includes studies in manufacturing technology using modern manufacturing equipment and software simulators.

MT 132:  Fluid Power Systems

Units: 3

Pre-requisites: SCC minimum English and Math Standards

Course Description: Introduces the topic of hydraulic and pneumatic systems as they apply to mechatronics. Studies include fluid power systems theory, pumps, actuators, accumulators, filters, meters, valves, control devices, and mathematics applied to fluid power systems. Includes studies in manufacturing technology using modern manufacturing equipment and software simulators.

MT 140:  Industrial Electricity

Units: 3

Pre-requisites: SCC minimum English and Math Standards

Course Description: Introduces the topic of DC, single-phase and three-phase AC circuits as they apply to mechatronics. Introduces commercial/industrial electrical installations that meet National Electrical Code requirements. Students will complete labs and wiring projects. Lab, electrical and worksite safety is emphasized.

MT 142:  Electrical Machinery

Units: 3

Pre-requisites: MT 120 (Electronics) or MT 140 (Industrial Electricity)

Course Description: Introduces the topic of electrical machinery as it applies to mechatronics. Studies include direct-current and alternating-current generators, alternators, transmission equipment, and motors. Students will complete labs and electrical machinery projects. Lab, electrical and worksite safety is emphasized.

I have met several times with a variety of local industries and they all have a need for quality maintenance technicians to keep their facilities operating. They are in full support of a short time certificate that will potentially bring them a larger pool of trained employees.

Diablo Valley College has an electronics technician program in which some of the courses may be similar to our proposed program. Bruce Brumfield was contacted at DVC and didn't foresee any impact to their program.