The Auburn Journal profiled the innovative Mechatronics program at Sierra College, where we combine learning about software, hardware, robotics, mechanics and pneumatics into an integrated program that equips students with amazing job skills.

Robotic arms and automated manufacturing systems — along with jobs for graduates — come to life in the Mechatronics Lab at Sierra College.

Professors and students of the Rocklin-based community college say the forward-thinking program offers students an avenue to learn real skills for jobs that are in high demand.

The seven-course program teaches students how to build and maintain programs that fuse electronics, mechanics and computer systems, according to Michael Halbern, Sierra College Mechatronics Professor. He said it’s easy to find working examples of mechatronics all around. A few include ski lifts, automated manufacturing machines and robots.

Sierra’s program, which started in 2005, is one of only a few like it in the nation. Because of that, graduates often go on to work at companies like Telefunken, a microchip manufacturer in Roseville, and Schilling Robotics in Davis.

Halbern said the program’s hands-on approach to teaching makes graduates a target for employment.

“The fundamental part of our program is to turn students into taxpayers,” Halbern said. “Because it has such a broad range of skills involved, it prepares our students to apply for quite a number of employment paths.”

These students have put their skills to work building and repairing hybrid cars, gasoline pumps, ATM machines, gaming machines and any other complicated machines that include both computer control and mechanical technology.

In fact, before the recession started, we couldn’t even get kids to graduate from the program. They were all getting high paying jobs before they finished!

Bravo, Michael and team. Turning students into taxpayers is awesome work.