TU: Work Wanted: Mechatronics program at FSCJ is meant to keep graduates relevant in a world continu

Times-Union

http://jacksonville.com/business/2015-05-19/story/work-wanted-mechatronics-program-fscj-meant-keep-graduates-relevant-world

Florida is home to over 18,200 manufacturers employing more than 317,000 workers. Although manufacturing is an industry sector that is shrinking overall, the jobs that remain are more complex and higher paying than what you may think of as traditional factory work. Employers are looking for workers with a variety of technical skills, and that’s why Florida State College at Jacksonville developed a Mechatronics certification.

Mechatronics is a relatively new term for advanced manufacturing in the U.S., although it was coined in 1971 by a Japanese manufacturer. The concept, both in engineering and production labor, rejects the idea of separate disciplines, combining mechanics, electronics, robotics, and IT. The name change from manufacturing to mechatronics has several advantages, according to Ernie Friend, director of academic systems at FSCJ’s Advanced Technology Center located in downtown Jacksonville. “The name reflects the complexity of the processes manufacturers use, so it’s more accurate. But it also elevates the profession’s image, which is a benefit when we’re recruiting younger workers into the industry. Students and parents are more drawn to the industry when it sounds more technical.”

Over the past ten years, the U.S. lost over 2 million jobs because the severe recession decimated the demand for consumer goods. Since recovery began in 2010, however, more than 550,000 direct manufacturing jobs have been added and output has increased by 20 percent. In Northeast Florida, manufacturing has been a bit slow to recover; we’ve gained about 700 jobs over the past year.

FSCJ launched the Mechatronics certification in January of 2014. The first class awarded 27 students the 30-hour certification, and 20 more will graduate this summer. The classes are hands-on from day one, according to Bill Formanek, the manufacturing program manager, and 70 percent of the class content is practical application rather than theory. There are over 200 students registered in a variety of manufacturing skills classes at FSCJ. The mechatronics certification is delivered during evening classes, so students who are working can attend. Students master skills in motors, hydraulics, programmable logic controllers and robotics, and drive and pump systems.

Mechatronics programs at universities promote the idea that graduates will stay relevant in a world continually pushing to make things faster and more automated. In the past, engineering programs tacked on a few credits in electronics at the end of mechanical engineering programs, but programs seldom produced a well-rounded engineer with a deep understanding of both disciplines. Since almost every system will have computerized controls, engineers and technicians must train themselves on the job.

Engineers and technicians have traditionally been specialists, but the way companies work in the real world is changing the way employers think about their workforce. Wendy Norfleet, dean of career education at FSCJ, says that manufacturers are interested in workers who can work in self-paced teams, think critically, and cross over from being simply operators of machines to being able to repair them.

The term “holistic,” long used in medicine, is now creeping into engineering; a 2013 article states that the job of a holistic engineer is to make the product succeed, from start to finish. This includes more work in teams and more contact with the customer, prompting universities to spend more time in class building collaboration and communication skills. It’s just one more way work is changing in almost every industry for the 21st century.

Candace Moody is vice president of communications for CareerSource Northeast Florida. She can be reached at cmoody@careersourcenefl.com.