Owens Community College receives grant from Ohio Department of Higher Education RAPIDS program
The grant will provide the college with $59,000, which will allow for the expansion of student capacity in the programmable logic controller courses by 50%.
Owens Community College has received a grant in the amount of $59,000 from the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s RAPIDS program. The grant will be used to up the student enrollment capacity of the college’s programmable logic controller (PLC) courses by 50%, taking the current cap of 12 to a total maximum capacity of 18 students.
According to an article on Owens Community College’s website, Dan Burklo, who serves as the dean for the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, was quoted as saying of the grant, “This grant will allow us to make our PLC classes and training more accessible to a great number of students, who will receive hands-on education to help fulfill an employment gap in the region. The purchase of the equipment and software will allow our students to not only learn about programmable logic controllers but to experience it firsthand.”
The college has purchased a Portable PLC Troubleshooting Learning System, Studio 5000 Mini PLC Programming Software, and FactoryTalk View ME Programming Software in order to have more equipment for students to work with. In addition to increasing capacity for students who are learning in PLC courses, the new equipment will also give the college’s Workforce and Community Services the ability to provide training for community partners.
The college currently offers two 16-week courses: basic PLC and advanced PLC. They are part of various degree programs and certificates, including Advanced Manufacturing, Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology, Building Maintenance, and Electrical, and certificates in Building Maintenance and Electrical.
PLCs are used in several capacities in the manufacturing industry, including in assembly lines and in robotic machines. By taking these PLC courses at Owens Community College, students will become prepared to work as robotics engineers, mechatronics engineers, electricians, maintenance workers, and electrical technicians.
For more information about Owens Community College, visit the school’s website.