OTHER NEWS FROM THE JUNE MEETING OF THE COLLEGE’S BOARD OF GOVERNORS:
• Alumni donates $1 million to build new Academic Tower (http://stclair-src.org/news/node/400)
• College ends previous year with hefty surplus (http://stclair-src.org/news/node/401)
The college’s administration obtained the approval of the Board of Governors (BofG) during its June 26th meeting to launch five new programs, beginning in September of 2019.
Several of the new academic offerings are variations of existing programs, in the form of advanced diploma and certificate programs.
And all of the new programs were spurred by the demands – and recommendations, advice and endorsement – of industries that are in desperate need of a larger, younger and more versatile workforce.
Additionally, many of the industry representatives who sat on advisory committees associated with the programs’ development have pledged the donation of new equipment to the college, and have committed to providing work-placements to students who wish to take advantage of the co-operative education component of the new offerings.
THREE-YEARS-LONG MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED DIPLOMA – ADVANCED PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, AND TWO-YEARS-LONG MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN – INTEGRATED PROCESS MAINTENANCE DIPLOMA PROGRAM
The recommendation-report furnished to the BofG by Vice-President Academic Waseem Habash explained:
The Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Integrated Process Maintenance program prepares students with the specialized skills necessary in the modern manufacturing sector. Students will learn a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and advanced practical skills used throughout the manufacturing environment. The program will enable students to learn numerically controlled machine programming, production planning, tool design, injection molding, stamping, robotic welding, advanced machining, value and maintenance engineering, and lean manufacturing practices. The skills learned will allow students to be a valuable part of the manufacturing team and possess the skills necessary to work in the ever-changing manufacturing sector.
Employment opportunities for graduates could include, but are not limited to, industrial engineering technician, manufacturing technician, planning technician, plastics manufacturing technician, scheduling technician, time study analyst, production line technician, and quality control technician. Industrial engineering and manufacturing technicians may work independently or provide technical support and services in the development of production methods, facilities and systems, and the planning, estimating, measuring, and scheduling of work. They are employed by manufacturing companies, government departments, and establishments in other industries.
The Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Advanced Production Management program prepares students with the specialized skills necessary in the modern manufacturing sector in manufacturing management and industrial engineering. Students will learn a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and advanced practical skills used throughout the manufacturing environment. The program will allow students to learn numerically controlled machine programming, production planning, tool design, injection molding, stamping, robotic welding, advanced machining, value and maintenance engineering, automation, and robotics. They will also learn programming applications, automation systems integration, technical sales, quality assurance, and production planning. The program shares common curriculum with the two-year Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Integrated Process Maintenance program and builds on the broader knowledge in manufacturing methods and industrial automation, while advancing their skills in project, quality and team management, culminating in a capstone project in their final year. The skills learned will allow students to be a valuable part of the manufacturing team and have the skills necessary to work in the ever-changing manufacturing sector.
Employment opportunities for graduates could include, but are not limited to, industrial engineering technologist, manufacturing technologist, planning technologist, plastics manufacturing technologist, scheduling technologist-manufacturing, time study analyst, production line technologist, pulp and paper manufacturing technologist, production supervisor, production line leaders, and quality control manager.
The two-year technician program will be developed parallel to the three-year technology program, with shared curriculum. Both programs will offer an “optional” co-operative education component with an industry partner. The term “optional” allows the decision by the students to enter into a competitive co-operative education stream, where the students have the opportunity to compete through an unbiased interview and selection process for a finite number of work term placements. The employers decide on the successful candidates. It is the ultimate goal of the program to have sufficient work term opportunities for all students; however, due to the competitive nature and fluctuating markets and enrolment, not all students who compete are guaranteed to achieve a work term. Students who are not successful in the competition will not be impeded on their ability to persist and graduate. The technician program will consist of an optional co-op of three terms, whereas the technologist program will have the option of four co-op terms.
Employment prospects for graduates of such programs appear to be good, Habash’s report added, particularly because many of the existing manufacturing technicians/technologists in the industry are currently approaching retirement age.
The new programs should also be attractive to prospective students because only a few other colleges in the province are currently offering such instruction – the closest to this area being Fanshawe in London.
Habash’s report anticipates a first-year enrolment (2019-20) in the two programs (combined) of approximately 48 students, and similar intake in subsequent years. It is anticipated, also, that the new programs will be attractive to international students, so perhaps a third to a half of the total number of students will be non-domestic.
In their first eight years of operation, the two new programs (combined) are projected to generate revenue (tuition plus government grants) of $8.2 million. Expenditures (faculty and staff wages, building renovations, new equipment) over that same time-span are estimated at $7.6 million.
THREE-YEARS-LONG ELECTROMECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY – ROBOTIC SYSTEMS DESIGN ADVANCED DIPLOMA
Habash’s report on this program explained:
The Electromechanical Engineering Technology - Robotic Systems Design program will teach a solid foundation in industrial robotics and control system technology. The student will learn advanced methods in robotics set-up and programming, programmable logic controls (PLC), electronics, computer-aided electrical systems design, mechanical systems, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, computer and robot programming, integrated control systems, communications and networks, vision technology, robotics applications (i.e. welding, material handling, etc.), interfacing sensors, and actuators. Hands-on applications will prepare students to install, service, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair robots and automated production systems, as well as, related devices, tools, and mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment. The program will provide foundational theoretical courses to students to gain a full understanding of this ever-changing technology.
The final year capstone project will tie all of the skills together, as students will need to work in small groups, to design, simulate, build, program, and present a working manufacturing cell. This capstone project will demonstrate everything they have learned over the duration of the program.
Graduates will have a complete understanding of an overall automated process, which integrates robotics, other automated systems, controls, and communications. The students will be able to interface robotic systems with advanced PLC systems, communication interfaces, and be capable of integrating all aspects of a fully automated control system. Graduates will also be equipped to assist in the application of robots in a variety of industries and processing applications, including implementation and testing.
Employment opportunities for graduates includes robotic programmers, PLC programmers, robotic welding technicians, controls technologists, automation technologists, integrators, installers, technical sales specialists, and field service technologists.
The three-year technology program was developed parallel to the two-year technician program, by sharing a significant portion of the existing curriculum in the two-year program. Both programs will offer an “optional” cooperative education component with an industry partner. The term “optional” allows the decision by the students to enter into the competitive co-operative education stream, where the students have the opportunity to compete through an unbiased interview and selection process for a finite number of work term placements. The employers decide on the successful candidates. It is the ultimate goal of the program to have sufficient work term opportunities for all students; however, due to the competitive nature and fluctuating markets and enrolment, not all students who compete are guaranteed to achieve a work term. Students who are not successful in the competition will not be impeded on their ability to persist and graduate. The technician program will consist of an option of one co-op term, whereas the technologist program will have the option of three co-op terms.
Like the Manufacturing Engineering field, employment prospects in industrial robotics appear to be quite strong – again, because a great many of the current workers in this occupation are nearing retirement age within the next several years.
And the addition of this program is also expected to be attractive to both domestic and international students because similar academic offerings exist at only four other Ontario colleges, and all of those are in the Greater Toronto Area.
The projected annual (first-year) enrolment of the existing two-year Robotics program and this new three-year offering is a combined 75 students, with approximately one-third of those being international in origin.
Revenue (tuition plus government grants) for the first eight years of the new paired operation of the two- and three-year programs is approximately $24.6 million.
Expenditures (faculty and staff wages, new equipment) over that same time-span are estimated at $22.3 million.
ONE-YEAR-LONG POWER ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES CERTIFICATE, AND TWO-YEARS-LONG POWER ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN DIPLOMA
Habash’s description of these programs stated:
With the existing three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma program, Power Engineering Technologists (currently offered at St. Clair College) can achieve their second class operating engineer license through the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), allowing them to operate and maintain the energy components of power plants in industrial, commercial and large residential buildings, hospitals, and schools. St. Clair College is one of only two second class accredited Power Engineering Technology programs in all of Canada. Their work involves monitoring, adjusting, analyzing and solving problems with power boilers, turbines, compressors, refrigeration chillers, pumps and other related equipment. They may also assist mechanical engineers in the planning and design of power plant systems and operations. Day-to-day responsibilities can include conducting visual inspections and tests to ensure safety and optimum performance, ensuring that provincial and federal regulations are adhered to, and respond to emergency situations.
The introduction of the Power Engineering Techniques program will prepare students with an introduction to relevant aspects of power generation and maintenance operation, both theoretical and practical, at the fourth class operating engineer level. The program will be a TSSA accredited fourth class Power Engineering program, allowing the successful students to write the 4A and 4B TSSA exams. Successful students will require a three-month work placement to obtain the mandatory on-site steam time in order to receive their fourth class certificate of qualification. Entry level positions include fourth class operating engineers, “Operator-In-Training” for water, or wastewater treatment plants, and the possibility to advance to third class operating engineer certification.
The Power Engineering Technician program is designed to introduce students to relevant aspects of power generation and maintenance operation, both theoretical and practical, at the third class operating engineer level. The program will be a TSSA accredited third class Power Engineering program, allowing the successful students to write the 3A1 and 3A2, and 3B1 and 3B2 TSSA exams. Successful students will require a one-month work placement to obtain the mandatory on-site steam time, in order to receive their third class certificate of qualification. Upon completion the student is qualified as a third class operating engineer and has the possibility to advance to a second class operating engineer certification.
Employment opportunities for graduates could include, but are not limited to, apprentice power dispatcher, control room operator for electrical power systems, electrical power systems operator, energy from waste plant operator, power engineer, building systems technician, stationary engineer, power plant operator, nuclear generating station field operator, auxiliary plant operator, power plant stationary engineer, nuclear reactor operator, maintenance technicians, refrigeration operators, and plant operators in a wide range of facilities including electrical power generation plants, light and heavy industry, refineries, schools, hospitals, commercial buildings and municipal water systems, and waste water treatment plants.
The field features solid employment prospects, and St. Clair will be one of only four colleges in Ontario providing such training.
The projected annual (first-year) enrolment of the existing three-year Power Engineering program plus these new one- and two-year offerings is a combined 45 students during the first two years of operation, rising to an intake of 54 subsequently, with approximately a half-dozen of those being international in origin.
Revenue (tuition plus government grants) for the first eight years of the new trio of programs is approximately $8.5 million.
Expenditures (faculty and staff wages, new equipment) over that same time-span are estimated at $8.3 million.
