A Deep Analysis of the Mechatronics Engineering Technology Skill Set
Scott Sheely Executive Director Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board Lancaster, PA
David Beauchamp Economic Modeling Specialists Inc. Moscow, ID What is Mechatronics?
Mechatronics is the synergistic application of mechanical engineering, controls engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to create useful products;
Used extensively in automation across the varieties of manufacturing…discrete, hybrid, and process;
Curricula have been built from the experience of subject matter experts What is Mechatronics?
The synergistic application of…
Computer Science
Mechatronics
Mechanical Electrical Engineering Engineering
Controls Engineering
…to create useful products What are the Skill Sets of Mechatronics?
Competency model for mechatronics approved by the US Department of Labor puts the skills in a hierarchy that flows from foundation skills to basic manufacturing skills to higher-end technical skills. See the model and the detail behind it at http://www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel; Skill standards being defined by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute enumerate more specific standards to guide curriculum development
Suite of Certificates M N K L Packaging I J G H
Skill Level Skill A B C D E F
Manufacturing Continuum
Process Discrete Hybrid Certificate Architecture What is a Mechatronics Engineering Technologist?
Beyond education and training, what are the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are required to do the job? So that we can talk with people about career development How do these knowledge, skills, and abilities relate to other occupations? So that we can talk with people about skill transferability Supervisor (Technologist) BS (Industrial Technology, Engineering, Training and Development, Management and Supervision)
Technician
Senior Industrial Maintenance Person
Hire from AAS Industrial Maintenance Person Another Company Electrical Mechanical
Vocational Entry Industrial Maintenance Person Senior Operator Mechanics Technical Repairpeople Industrial Maintenance
Vocational Training from Adult Education System Operator Technical Welder Manufacturing Millwright Fabricator
High School Entry Operator Technical
= Focus of training A Definition of MET
Definition developed using O*Net, a government-run data base on occupational information;
Derived from Industrial Machinery Mechanics (49-9041), Machinists (51- 4041), and Electrical and Electronic Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment (49-2094) A Definition of MET
Knowledge Abilities Mechanical Visualization Computers and Electronics Information Ordering Engineering and Technology Written Comprehension Design Oral Expression and Mathematics Comprehension Skills Deductive and Inductive Reasoning Troubleshooting Installation Repairing Equipment Maintenance Operation and Control Coordination Complex Problem Solving Relationship to other Occupations
Looking for relationship at 80% or higher Occupational Areas
Related Careers in Industrial Maintenance;
Renewable Energy;
Industrial Operations Technology;
Water Quality Management;
Environmental Technology Strong Compatibility of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Industrial Maintenance
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
Machinery Maintenance Workers
Tool and Die Makers
Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmer
Electro-Mechanical Technicians
General Maintenance and Repair Workers
Millwrights
Welders
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technicians
Electricians
Computer Support Specialists Strong Compatibility of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Renewable Energy HVAC Mechanics Electricians Refrigeration Mechanics Industrial Operations Technology Electronic and Electronics Repairers Gas Plan Operators Chemical Plan and System Operators Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operations HVAC Mechanics Electronics and Electrical Engineering Technicians Plumbers Strong Compatibility of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Water Quality Management
Septic Tank Servicers
Plumbers
Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Operators
Environmental Technology
Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Operators
Environmental Engineering Technicians Implications
There is a high degree of compatibility of knowledge, skills, and abilities between these technical occupations in various fields;
This points to the possibility of transferable skills which should come into the conversations that we have with incumbents, dislocated workers, and new workers about their career aspirations; Implications
The overlap of skills also means that the curriculum developed in our education and training could be used in multiple career paths; Which, in turn, means more career mobility for the persons in training as they complete training; and that Educational programs will be able to address multiple career paths as they promote their capabilities; Implications
Workforce and education professionals need to be much more sophisticated about how we talk with the users and potential users of education and training Contact
Scott Sheely Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board 313 W. Liberty St. Suite 114 Lancaster, PA 17603 717-735-0333 [email protected] www.lancastercountywib.com www.imtcpa.org