FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- A new certification program launching soon at Fort Campbell will give transitioning Soldiers another option for a solid post-Army career.
Fort Campbell's Career Skills Program worked with Nashville State Community College to bring a mechatronics certification program to the Staff Sgt. Glenn H. English Jr. Army Education Center on post. Through this program, transitioning Soldiers can enroll in classes that culminate in a Level I mechatronics technical certificate. In addition, Soldiers will test for their Siemens certification, a comprehensive industry skills test that qualifies recipients to work as mechanics system assistants.
Mechatronics blends computerized technologies, along with electronics and mechanics, to form systems used in industries including manufacturing, automotive and health care, among others. The field is in high demand right now, Fort Campbell Career Skills Program Coordinator Teresa K. English said. Jobs are available in the local area with many industries and manufacturers, as well as across the nation and worldwide.
"Basically, one guy can go troubleshoot and fix the ATM machine. Or one gal can go fix a ride at Dollywood. Or they can fix the factory assembly lines," English said. "It's not just one guy that fixes them and one guy that does maintenance anymore -- it's just one person."
This mechatronics certification program is the first of its kind Armywide. Twenty slots are available for the program, which will begin Aug. 24. Once enrolled, participants will be able to attend classes from 8 until noon or from 1 until 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday at the Army Education Center. This schedule will allow Soldiers to complete duties at their respective units while enrolled. Command approval is required for participation, and graduation is slated for Dec. 18.
Briefings are being offered at the Army Education Center for those interested in the program at 1 p.m., Thursdays, in room 242. Registration for classes will be offered at 1 p.m., July 16 and 23, in room 242. On registration day, participants must bring back the completed packet distributed at the briefing, as well as a $20 application fee. English said those interested should know this is not a free program, and Soldiers will be using a portion of their GI Bill to pay for the program's instruction.
"They're only going to use four months of benefits, so you look at a Soldier [who] has 36 months of benefits and they can get a job quickly -- that's a very small investment," English said. "They're not going into debt. They're going to be able to do it while they're on active duty, and the Army is still paying them a paycheck. It's a great opportunity."
Prior to beginning classes, participants without previous college algebra credit must take the Compass test to determine placement, which will be offered July 24 and 31 at the Army Education Center. Those with an ACT math score of 19 also qualify and do not need to take the test.
If more than 20 Soldiers are interested in participating, interviews may be conducted July 29-30 to determine those best suited for the program. If the program is not filled with transitioning Soldiers, the program may be opened for spouses and veterans recently separated from the Army, although English does not expect any remaining spots to be available.
While the Soldiers are completing the back-to-back four-class sequence, several job fairs will be offered specifically to showcase opportunities within the mechatronics field. Employers are expected to speak with participants one-on-one at jobs fairs scheduled in November and December.
"We also are planning on having some job fairs for them, so that we bring in specific employers that are looking for Soldiers with this skill," English said. "Nissan is very interested, a lot of the truck driving companies, Coca-Cola, Amazon, FedEx, Dollywood -- a lot of these big companies."
English said participants also can attend the Soldier for Life job fair Dec. 9, where local and national employers gather to present opportunities in many different career fields.
"In this course, they've got four opportunities to go to job fairs to find employment," English said. "So our goal is that when they graduate, they have a job offer. That is our goal. It's not a guarantee, but it's a very high probability."
English said mechatronics is a great field for people who have strong math skills, and it does not really matter the individual's Military Occupational Specialty or previous work or training experiences. Anyone who is seeking a promising career field with salaries ranging from $42,000 to $80,000-plus should attend a briefing and find out more.
"They're maintaining, they're troubleshooting and they're keeping [machines] running," English said, of those in the mechatronics field. "Because if those machines break down, the factory's losing money. That car plant is losing money. The amusement park ride [isn't] rolling."
Participants should expect quizzes, tests and afterhours studying, as with any college class. These classes will cover topics ranging from the basic functions of electrical components to the systematic flow of energy, as well a preventative maintenance and other basics of the job field.
"When they take that comprehensive exam at the end … it's a two-hour exam and it is pretty tedious," English said. "They've got to really work hard and study, so that they know what they're doing when they get out in the job field."
Participants can go directly into the job field after obtaining the Siemens certification, complete the Level II certificate or even enroll in a bachelor's degree program for more advanced training.
For transitioning Soldiers not currently in the 180-day window required to participate in the Career Skills Program, English expects another mechatronics certification class to be offered during the Spring 2016 semester. For more information about mechatronics or other Career Skills Program offerings, call English at (270) 412-0736.
"The point of the Career Skills Programs are to find training or internships to provide jobs for Soldiers when they leave the gate of Fort Campbell," English said.
"Our high-risk Soldiers are our 18- to 24-year-old Soldiers [who] are getting out after serving one term of service. They [may] have no college, and few marketable skills. This group is also at risk of being homeless, jobless and drawing unemployment. This program can benefit all transitioning Soldiers [who] are motivated to work in this career field."
MORE information
•The GI Bill-funded, 16-week mechatronics program is offered by Nashville State Community College for 20 transitioning Soldiers.
•Classes will be held Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. until noon or 1 until 5 p.m., beginning Aug. 24.
•Command approval is required to participate.
•Program graduates earn a Level I mechatronics certificate that can transfer into a two- or four-year degree. They will also take the Siemens certification test, which opens up many employment opportunities.
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