Roane State mechatronics director Gordon Williams, center, says mechatronics is a field that requires creativity along with technical skills. (Photo by Roane State)
It’s the well-paying field of mechatronics, where skilled technicians operate, maintain, and repair high-tech automated manufacturing systems, and Roane State Community College is hosting an open house in September to recruit for next spring’s mechatronics classes.
The event will be from 5 until 8 p.m. on Monday, September 26, at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility, located in a former National Guard Armory off Charles Seivers Boulevard at 214 Nave Street in Clinton.
Current mechatronics students will be available to answer questions. Prospective students will have “the hands-on opportunity to work with the equipment, including robotic arms,” program director Gordon Williams said. Light refreshments will be served.
Roane State now has a one-year certificate program in mechatronics and a two-year associate of applied science program. Both programs are suitable for recent high school graduates and for adults who want to go back to school, Williams said.
High school students in Oak Ridge and Anderson County can take mechatronics courses as dual credit classes.
Eleven mechatronics courses will be offered during the spring semester, which starts January 17, 2017.
Mechatronics technicians ensure that high-tech machines are running correctly and make changes to the machines as the product changes, Williams said.
“You have to be innovative,” he said. “You’ve got to be creative.”
To learn more, contact Williams at (865) 354-3000, extension 4899; email williamsg1@roanestate.edu;Â or visit roanestate.edu/mechatronics.
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