Maintenance Technician

The Maintenance Technician (MT) training program is comprised of 9 short-term classes designed to upskill incumbent workforce to work as an entry level Maintenance Technician. This program starts with students taking classes #1-3 in order, then remaining classes can be taken in any order. There is a total of 216 instructional hours in the MT program.

Electrical Fundamentals 

a three-day class that provides a foundational understanding of electrical principles, including circuits, voltage, current, resistance, and basic electrical components.

• Understand the fundamental principles of electricity, including voltage, current, and resistance.
•  Analyze basic electrical circuits using Ohm's Law.
• Identify and describe the function of essential electrical components such as resistors, capacitors, and power sources.
• Interpret and create basic electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Apply mathematical techniques to solve problems involving series, parallel, and combination circuits.
• Understand the principles of AC and DC electricity and their applications.
• Explore safety practices and standards in handling electrical systems.

• Define and explain basic electrical terms and concepts.
• Analyze simple electrical circuits.
• Operate essential electrical testing and measurement tools.
• Describe the behavior of AC and DC systems.
• Interpret basic electrical diagrams.
• Demonstrate proper electrical safety protocols.
• Apply knowledge to practical scenarios.

Upcoming Offerings: March 18-20, May 12-14, July 15-17, September 16-18
Cost per student: $719

Motor Control and Relay Logic

This three-day class explores the principles and applications of motor control and relay logic, focusing on the design, operation, and troubleshooting of control circuits and automation systems. (Recommended prerequisite: Electrical Fundamentals)

• Review of Electrical Fundamentals.
• Understand the fundamental principles of motor control and relay logic systems.
• Design, interpret, and troubleshoot motor control circuits and relay logic diagrams.
• Identify and describe the operation of motor starters, contactors, relays, timers, and three-phase to single phase transformers.
• Analyze the use of safety devices, interlocks, and overload protection in motor control systems.
• Implement sequential and automated control systems using relay logic.
• Apply troubleshooting techniques to diagnose and resolve issues in motor control circuits.

• Explain the fundamentals of motor control and relay logic.
• Interpret and create control circuit diagrams.
• Operate and configure motor control devices.
• Analyze motor control systems for safety and reliability.
• Implement and troubleshoot relay logic systems using AC and DC relays and timers.
• Apply concepts to practical automation systems.
• Demonstrate safe working practices in motor control environments.

Upcoming Offerings: April 28-30, June 16-18, August 26-28, October 20-22
Cost per student: $719

Electrical Troubleshooting

This three-day class focuses on developing practical skills to diagnose, analyze, and repair electrical system faults using systematic troubleshooting techniques and tools. (Recommended prerequisites: Electrical Fundamentals, Motor Control and Relay Logic)

• Review of Electrical Fundamentals and Motor Control and Relay Logic.
• Understand the principles and processes of electrical troubleshooting.
• Develop a systematic approach to identifying and resolving electrical faults.
• Analyze and interpret electrical schematics and diagrams for troubleshooting purposes.
• Apply troubleshooting techniques to a variety of electrical systems, including industrial and control circuits.
• Identify and implement safety protocols during troubleshooting activities.

•  Explain the fundamentals of electrical troubleshooting.
• Interpret and analyze electrical schematics and diagrams.
• Use electrical testing and diagnostic tools proficiently.
• Diagnose and resolve common electrical system issues.
• Troubleshoot specific electrical systems and applications.
• Demonstrate safe troubleshooting practices.
• Document and communicate troubleshooting outcomes.
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Develop creative solutions to complex or recurring electrical issues.

Upcoming Offerings: March 24-26, May 27-29, July 29-31, September 22-24, December 8-10
Cost per student: $719

Industrial Instrumentation and Control

Three-day session designed to increase skill levels for engineers, technicians, sales reps, and anyone involved with manufacturing, process controls, energy generation or automation.

• Usage of photo-electric, inductive, capacitive, and temperature sensors.
• Interface of sensors and control devices to PLCs.
• Practical sensor selection, setup, and adjustment.
• Position and speed measurement using encoders.

• Make informed choices on the selection of sensors in various applications.
• Connect, adjust, and troubleshoot actual, real-life sensors.
• Describe control techniques used in temperature control applications.
• Connect sensors to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).

Upcoming Offerings: April 8-10, October 14-16
Cost per student: $719

Mechanical Fundamentals

This three-day class is meant for individuals with little or no mechanical experience. Students will learn techniques and gain experience in using tools in the various assembly and adjustment exercises. An appreciation of mechanical Power transmission principles will be gained through lecture, handouts, and hands-on experience.

• Basic measurement using steel rule, tape measure, calipers.
• Measurement in inch and metric systems.
• Fastener identification and selection.
• Use of wrenches, screwdrivers, socket, etc.
• Use of a torque wrench.
• Translation of print dimensions and assembly details into actual equipment.
• Basic safety practices in the use of hand tools.
• Cutting/drilling material to print dimensions (Drill/tap bolt hole).
• Use and adjustment of power transmission devices, such as belt-pulley, chain-sprocket.
• Visual appearance of assembled items (Perpendicular, parallel, neatness).

• Select proper fasteners for various mechanical applications and correct tools to work with.
• Verify part correctness using a dimensional drawing and applicable measurement methods.
• Understand expected operation of various means of mechanical power transmission.
• Recognize mechanical potential safety hazards.
• Troubleshoot basic mechanical malfunctions.

Upcoming Offerings: April 29-May 1, August 12-14, December 9-11
Cost per student: $719

Introduction to PLCs

This three-day introductory class covers the basics of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) using the Automation Direct CLICK series, including programming, wiring, and troubleshooting for industrial automation applications.

•  Understand the fundamental concepts and functions of programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• Identify the hardware components of the Automation Direct CLICK PLC series and their functions.
• Properly wire inputs, outputs, and power connections for CLICK PLC systems.
• Navigate and utilize the CLICK programming software to develop, download, and test PLC programs.
• Write basic ladder logic programs to control simple industrial automation processes.
• Interpret and troubleshoot PLC hardware and software issues.
• Apply PLC concepts to real-world scenarios and automation applications.

• Define key PLC terminology (e.g., I/O, scan cycle, ladder logic).
• Configure and wire a CLICK PLC system for various input/output applications.
• Use the CLICK programming software to create, edit, and simulate ladder logic programs.
• Develop basic logic operations (e.g., AND, OR, timers, counters) to solve automation challenges.
• Troubleshoot common PLC issues, including wiring errors and software faults.
• Integrate PLCs into simple automated systems and verify functionality.
• Document PLC programs and system wiring for maintenance and future use.

Upcoming Offerings: June 3-5, September 9-11
Cost per student: $719

Industrial Communications and Networking

This three-day class is an introduction to common networking technologies and equipment. The basic functionality of wiring, switches, routers, and firewalls in a network along with how they create and protect an industrial network will be covered. This class will also cover the details of IP addressing in a network along with network troubleshooting and the use of network diagnostic tools.

• Understand the basics of ethernet and wireless operation.
• Understand the placement and usage of switches in a network.
• Understand the placement and usage of routers in a network.
• Configure basic IP addressing in a network.

Upcoming Offerings: May 21-23, December 17-19
Cost per student: $899

Industrial Electro-Pneumatics

a four-day class in which students with industrial experience learn the principles of basic pneumatic and electro-pneumatic circuits using a computer layout and simulation program.

• Cylinders – single and double acting
• Control valves – position and way combinations
• Cylinder direction, speed, and force control
• Compressed air supply
• Fluid power symbols and schematics

• Identify pneumatic system components
• Control pneumatic cylinders with valves
• Interpret pneumatic diagrams

Upcoming Offerings: June 17-20, December 1-4
Cost per student: $799

Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)

Two-day session that gives maintenance technicians, specifiers, and supervisors insights to basic theory, installation considerations, control wiring, and programming parameters to utilize VFD in industrial and commercial applications. We also offer a one-day version of this class for electricians that meets the requirements for 6 non-code hours.

• Review of torque, speed and horsepower.
• Characteristics of 3 phase motors.
• VFD: capabilities and theory of operation, operator interface, setup and parameter entry, start and stop methods, speed control methods, uses in energy savings, control from PLC and Building Automation Systems, installation considerations, fault diagnosis and troubleshooting

• Identify the differences between variable and constant torque applications.
• Vary the frequency of AC induction motors.
• Select motors and VFD for simple applications.
• Wire a VFD on a lab module.
• Troubleshoot problems inserted by instructor.
• Use a custom-trainer console that has switches, a 3 Phase motor, and an Allen Bradley Powerflex 4 VFD.
• PID control terminology.

Upcoming Offerings: March 4-5, July 22-23, November 18-19
Cost per student: $499