MARTINSVILLE — For the fourth consecutive year, the entire industrial electronic technology cohort at Patrick Henry Community College passed the Level 1 Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program exam — a critical credential for job placement in that field. Together, the average score of the class was 82.9 percent.
“A 100 percent passing rate, especially with these high scores, is very impressive. This is an especially challenging certification exam that nationally only 85 percent of students pass,” said PHCC’s industrial electronic technology faculty member Daniel Edwards.
The Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification is recognized by industries as the gold standard for recruiting employees in computer science, electronics, and mechanical engineering. With it, students are able to efficiently and effectively diagnose and repair complex automated equipment, making them better equipped in areas of electrical, mechanical, hydraulics, and pneumatics using programmable logic controllers. Most graduates obtain jobs with local industries or transfer to four-year colleges to continue their education in engineering.
Not only did these students pass this national certification with high marks, but collectively the 17-person class received 62 industrial electronics technology credentials this semester. Almost two-thirds of the class are receiving associate degrees in Industrial Electronics Technology along with at least one career studies certificate and certificates in Variable Frequency Drives or Programmable Logic Controllers.
“The success of our students over the past three years has been simply remarkable. The hard work and dedication of our instructors has been instrumental in making our engineering programs the gold standard in the state,” says Steve Branch PHCC’s dean of science, technology, engineering and math
Mechatronics is the combination of electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering, and plays an increasing role in most aspects of life including vehicles, household appliances, public transportation systems, electric power generators.