Sinclair Community College’s Mechatronic Apprenticeship Partners Program is set to begin enrollment for its fourth set of students this month. Classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 20, according to a Sinclair press release.
The college partnered with over a dozen manufacturing companies in fall 2016 to create the Mechatronics program. The program aims to bridge the skills and talent gap between manufacturers and young job-seekers, according to the press release.
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The two-year program focuses on getting students to learn, work and apply their skills in the field of ‘mechatronics’ -- a combination of mechanical and electronic technology, according to the release. Students spend one day a week at Sinclair, another at Festo and the another three working in the Mechatronics field.
Tony Oran, the director of strategic development at Festo Didactic, one of the handful of partnering companies, believes this gives students the opportunity to see how working, learning and earning all go hand in hand.
In July, the first set of students graduated with associate’s degrees, and trained in a multitude of careers including, automation specialists and manufacturing technicians, read the release.
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Sinclair hopes these graduates exemplify the potential for talented employees that produce a high return on investment.
"We heard loud and clear from manufacturers all across our region that they were finding it hard to get young people interested in the field of manufacturing," said Scott Markland, vice president of student development at Sinclair.
"The Festo Apprenticeship program with Sinclair is one way in which we have helped bridge the skills gap. The students that have graduated from the program have very bright futures," Markland said.