Industrial Technology Information
Did you enjoy putting models together as a child? Did you ever fix your friends' bikes when the pedals came loose or the seats needed adjusting? If so, you may be interested in industrial technology. This program provides training in a variety of skill areas within the industrial industry.
Problem-solving, math, computer, mechanical and technical skills are important if you plan to pursue a career in industrial technology.*
As a graduate of Heartland Community College's two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree program you'll be prepared for many positions. These include machinist, planner, tool designer and quality control technician. Workers with computer skills who can perform multiple tasks in a machine shop will have the best job opportunities. As growing numbers of experienced machinists enter retirement, employers in many parts of the country are reporting difficulty finding skilled workers and apprenticeship candidates to replace them.*
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition
Earn an Associate in Applied Science:
Associate in Applied Science - Industrial Technology
The Industrial Technology Associate of Applied Science degree prepares you for a variety of entry- to mid-level technician and/or operator positions in various industrial settings such as manufacturing, metalworking, construction, renewable energy, and fabrication. You will learn skills in technical graphics, safety, AutoCAD, and computer literacy, as well as skills in one or more industrial areas such as: construction, electronics, renewable energy, facilities maintenance, industrial maintenance, design and fabrication, and/or welding. You may choose to specialize in one or more industrial areas by using your technical elective hours to complete skills certificates as you work toward your degree.
Earn a Certificate:
Industrial Technology Certificate
The Industrial Technology Certificate prepares you for a variety of entry- to mid-level technician and/or operator positions in various industrial settings such as manufacturing, metalworking, construction, renewable energy, and fabrication. You will learn skills in technical graphics, safety, AutoCAD, and computer literacy, as well as basic skills in one or more industrial areas such as: construction, electronics, renewable energy, facilities maintenance, industrial maintenance, design and fabrication, and/or welding. Or, you may choose a specialization by using your technical elective hours to complete a skills certificate in one industrial area. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Earn a Skills Certificate:
Automation Technology Skills Certificate
The Automation Technology Skills Certificate prepares you for a variety of entry-level technician and/or operator positions in various industrial settings such as manufacturing. You will learn skills in industrial electricity and motors, robotics, programmable logic controllers, automation and safety. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of this coursework toward the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Building Maintenance Skills Certificate
The Building Maintenance Skills certificate prepares you for an entry-level position as a building or property maintenance technician. You will learn basic installation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting techniques for rental properties and smaller commercial buildings. Basic carpentry, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and appliance repair concepts will be covered as well as related workplace skills such as computer literacy, maintenance math skills, customer service, and safety. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Industrial Technology certificate and/or the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
CNC Machining Certificate
The Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machining Certificate prepares individuals with skills for employment as CNC Programmers and CNC Operators. The CNC Machining Certificate introduces students to CNC lathes and mills, including setup, operation, and troubleshooting CNC technologies. Students will develop advanced CNC programming skills, learn jig and fixture applications, and gain the advanced applied skillsets required to effectively run CNC lathe and mill machines. Students will earn a 10-Hour or 30-Hour OSHA Construction or General Industry Safety Cards. Students completing this certificate can continue their coursework to earn the Machine Tool Technology Skills Certificate.
Construction Skills Certificate
The Construction Skills Certificate prepares you for an entry-level position in the construction industry as an estimator, CAD technician, or project assistant. You will learn a basic understanding of construction skills, building materials and design, and safety. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Industrial Technology Certificate or the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Design & Fabrication Skills Certificate
The Design & Fabrication Skills Certificate prepares you for an entry-level position as a machine operator or welder in a manufacturing environment. You will learn basic engineering design, manufacturing processes, machining skills, and welding skills. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Industrial Technology Certificate or the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Electronics Skills Certificate
The Electronics Skills Certificate prepares you for an entry-level position as an electronics technician. You will learn basic skills in electronics, including troubleshooting and circuit construction, digital electronics, and automation and controls. With these skills, you can perform basic troubleshooting and repair on electronic systems such as manufacturing systems, industrial controllers, or communications systems. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Industrial Technology Certificate or the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Energy Systems Technology Certificate
The Energy Systems Technology Skills Certificate prepares you for an entry-level position such as a technician, integrator, installer or energy auditor in a wide range of renewable energy fields. The certificate includes a wide variety of technologies to choose from such as building automation, wind energy, photovoltaic energy, energy storage and EV chargers. Focus will be on basic skills in electrical systems, mechanical integration, installation and integration. With these skills, you can install, troubleshoot, and repair various renewable energy systems. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Industrial Technology Certificate or the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Facilities Maintenance Skills Certificate
The Facilities Maintenance Skills Certificate prepares you for an entry-level position as a facilities maintenance technician. You will learn basic skills in in the areas of heating and air conditioning, industrial electricity, and fluid power. With these skills, you can perform general maintenance and repair on buildings and mechanical equipment. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses to the Industrial Technology Certificate or the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Manual Machining Certificate
The Manual Machining Certificate prepares individuals with skills for entry-level employment as Machine Tool Setters. Manual Machining introduces students to metrology (precision measuring), hand tools and their uses for machining and layout, along with common types of milling machines, surface grinders, lathes and their accessories. Students will learn to perform basic and intermediate machining tasks which include the use of drilling machines, bandsaws, engines, lathes, and milling machines; they will also learn about basic machine parts, procedures of set-up, and operations of machining for general tool room usage. Students will earn a 10-Hour or 30-Hour OSHA Construction or General Industry Safety Cards. Students completing this certificate can continue their coursework onto the CNC Machining Certificate.
Manual Tool Technology Skills Certificate
The Machine Tool Technology Skills Certificate is designed as a one-year program to prepare individuals with skills for employment or advancement as CNC Programmers, CNC Operators, and Tool and Die Makers. This program includes introductions to blueprint reading, microcad, metrology (precision measuring), CNC manufacturing, and basic computer skills. Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to program and operate advanced industrial machinery, including lathes, mills, and CNC technologies. Students will earn a 10-Hour or 30-Hour OSHA Construction or General Industry Safety Cards. Students completing this certificate can continue their coursework onto the Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Technology degree.
Technical Management Skills Certificate
The Technical Management skills certificate is intended for students who completed or are pursuing a technical program. It prepares you for an entry-level supervisor or management position in a technical field. You will learn supervisory, customer relations, business, and computer literacy skills to enhance application of your technical specialty. With these skills, you can work in a variety of supervisory, management, training, or sales positions in Industrial Technology-related industries. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Industrial Technology Certificate, the Industrial Technology AAS degree or toward various programs in Business Technology.
Welding Skills Certificate
The Welding Skills Certificate prepares you for an entry-level position as a welder. You will learn basic skills in industrial welding such as selection and use of appropriate materials, tools, and equipment as well as weld design and inspection. With these skills, you can work in a variety of settings, including manufacturing, construction, and general industry. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Industrial Technology Certificate or the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Earn a Microcertificate:
High Voltage Battery Microcertificate
The High Voltage Battery Technology Microcertificate gives you basic skills in battery technologies. This short program is designed to enhance your working knowledge of the industrial and manufacturing industries. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply coursework towards the Industrial Technology Core Certificate.
HVAC-R Installer Microcertificate
This microcertificate will prepare students with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to work as an HVACR Installer in residential and industrial facilities. You will learn about the operation and maintenance of the individual components and functions of residential and industrial cooling equipment, as well as basic heating electrical systems, boilers, forced air furnaces, their operation, disassembly, inspection, and repair. The program prepares students for the EPA 608 Universal Certification Exam and the NC3 Refrigeration Cycle Certification Exam.
Robotics Operator Microcertificate
The Robotics Operator Microcertificate gives you basic skills in robotic technologies. This short program is designed to enhance your working knowledge of the industrial and manufacturing industries. Coursework from this program can transition seamlessly into the Automation Technology Skills Certificate and, further, into the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Basics
The Shielded Metal Arc Welding microcertificate prepares you for entry-level positions as a SMAW or “stick” welder. You will learn basic and advanced SMAW techniques such as selection and use of appropriate SMAW materials, tools, and equipment as well as weld design and inspection. With these skills, you can work in a variety of settings including manufacturing, construction, and general industry. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Welding Skills Certificate, the Industrial Technology Certificate, and/or the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Basics
The Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Basics microcertificate prepares you for an entry-level position as a GMAW or “MIG” welder. You will learn basic and advanced GMAW techniques such as selection and use of appropriate GMAW materials, tools, and equipment as well as weld design and inspection. With these skills, you can work in a variety of settings including manufacturing, construction, and general industry. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply all of these courses toward the Welding Skills Certificate, the Industrial Technology Certificate, and/or the Industrial Technology AAS degree.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Basics
Prerequisite: Completion of WELD 216 and WELD 218.
The Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Basics microcertificate prepares you for an entry-level position as a GTAW or “TIG” welder. You will learn basic and advanced GTAW techniques such as selection and use of appropriate GTAW materials, tools, and equipment as well as weld design and inspection. With these skills, you can work in a variety of settings including manufacturing, construction, and general industry. Should you decide to pursue further education in this area, you can apply coursework towards the Industrial Technology Certificate and AAS degree.