Manufacturing & Engineering Technology
Building skills to strengthen industry
North Central has opened a new Manufacturing & Engineering Technology Lab and now offers courses to support local employers, employees, and individuals looking to build the skills to strengthen industry in Northern Michigan and beyond.
With a long-term focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, courses are aligned with industry-recognized certifications from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) and the Manufacturing Skill Standards Counsil (MSSC).
Curricula includes cross-cutting topics like mechatronics, a multidisciplinary field that focuses on the integration of mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering in the design, development, and implementation of automated systems. Micro-certifications are also offered in areas including safety, quality, Lean Manufacturing, mechanical drives, electrical circuits, programmable logic controllers, and robotics.
All courses are offered through North Central’s noncredit Corporate and Community Education division (CCE) and based on an open enrollment model. Online modules and virtual trainers teach skills that students practice in an open lab alongside qualified instructors. Courses can be completed according to each individual’s pace, and mentor support helps ensure students’ understanding in a supportive lab environment.

Petoskey Plastics Assistant Plant Manager Tony Ayoub and skilled operator Craig Tompkins teach instructor Bob Carpenter and Workforce Development Specialist Jeff Montgomery on the operations of the college's LabTech Blown Film production machine. Petoskey Plastics donated the sophisticated automation to North Central, and it is now being rolled out as part of the college's growing Manufacturing & Engineering Technology program. The blown film machine is a working production model that combines all areas of engineering technology into an integrated operation to produce plastic film products.

Questions? I can help!
Jim Cousino
Dean of Career and Technical Education
jcousino@ncmich.edu
231-348-6630
To register for any of these courses:
- Fill out North Central's Noncredit CCE Application.
- Contact Jim Cousino, dean of Career and Technical Education, at 231-348-6630.
Winter 2022 course offerings
The following Engineering Technology courses are available during the Winter 2022 semester.
Course ID: | Course Name: | Learning Modules Required to Complete: | Estimated Contact Hours: | Hands-on Lab Required (Y/N): | NCMC Certificate Offered: | SACA Certification Offered: | MSSC Certification Offered: | SME Certification Offered: | Total Cost to Complete (Tuition plus lab fees): |
N SAC 101 | Introduction to Mechatronics | 39 | 145 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $1,737.00 | ||
N SAC 201 | Electrical Systems 1 | 6 | 24 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $285.00 | ||
N SAC 202 | Electrical Motor Controls 1 | 8 | 45 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $516.50 | ||
N SAC 203 | Variable Frequency Drive | 4 | 25 | Yes | Yes | Pending | $284.50 | ||
N SAC 204 | Motor Control Troubleshooting 1 | 3 | 21 | Yes | Yes | Pending | $237.00 | ||
N SAC 205 | Sensor Logic Systems Course | 7 | 34 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $395.50 | ||
N SAC 206 | Electrical System Installation 1 | 7 | 42 | Yes | Yes | Pending | $479.50 | ||
N SAC 207 | Programmable Systems Control 1 | 16 | 83 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $959.50 | ||
N SAC 208 | Programmable Control Troubleshooting 1 | 7 | 36 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $416.50 | ||
N SAC 209 | Pneumatic Systems 1 | 7 | 48 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $542.50 | ||
N SAC 210 | Mechanical Power Systems | 14 | 72 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $833.00 | ||
N IET 101 | Industrial Safety | 8 | 16 | Yes | Yes | No | $212.00 | ||
N IET 102 | Lean | 13 | 30 | No | Yes | No | $386.50 | ||
N IET 103 | CNC Machining | 31 | 160 | Yes | Yes | No | $1,850.50 | ||
N IET 104 | Benchwork and Layout | 5 | 32 | Yes | Yes | No | $363.50 | ||
N IET 105 | Basic Hydraulics | 5 | 26 | Yes | Yes | No | $300.50 | ||
M IET 106 | Print Reading 1 | 3 | 30 | Yes | Yes | No | $331.50 | ||
M IET 200 | MSSC CPT Prep | 44 | 201 | Yes | Yes | No | Pending | $2,352.50 |
Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) Certified
North Central Michigan College is a SACA Authorized Certification Assessment Center in Industry 4.0 emerging technologies. See the learning objectives for:
- C-101 Certified Industry 4.0 Associate-Basic Operations Skill Standards
- C-200 Certified Industry 4.0 Automation Specialist I Core Micro-Credential Skill Standards
Modules can also be taken separately as students build their portfolio to industry certifications.